Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen rejects BBC claims, says no illegal substances used to disperse protests

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said that the authorities had not used any banned substances to disperse last year’s protest rallies.

Responding to a question from reporters regarding the BBC investigation, the Mayor noted that the allegations were part of a campaign directed against Georgia.

“This is a major lie and a false campaign, and it is not the first time. We remember many similar claims and speculations. An investigation has been launched in this regard. One thing can be stated with full responsibility: no prohibited substance was used. Let’s wait for the investigation, which will confirm everything with concrete facts and research”, Kaladze said.

The official further added that this was a deliberate provocation, which was also not unprecedented.

“When deliberately fabricated information is circulated - based on lies, without any facts or evidence - it is an attempt against the country. The same happened when they insisted that [the imprisoned former President] Saakashvili was poisoned, and for months a false campaign had been conducted against the country, despite the absence of any proof. It later became clear that this was a PR campaign funded with money. We are dealing with the same type of speculation now from the BBC”, he noted.

Kaladze highlighted that the dispersal of rallies took place in many countries around the world and Georgia used methods that were internationally accepted.

“Protests are dispersed not only in Georgia. We see how it happens in other countries as well. Once again: nothing prohibited was used. Only what is allowed and acceptable. We are not the BBC to provide information based on lies. They have not published any evidence. At first they claimed it as fact, then stepped back and said ‘allegedly’. Because it is false. That is why an investigation is underway - to answer every question thoroughly so that nothing remains unclear for the public”, the Mayor said.

He further noted that the specific substance used during the dispersal of the protests would be known once the investigation is complete.

“The Minister of Internal Affairs has already provided clarification. I cannot add to that. I am repeating what the Minister said: nothing prohibited was used. What was used will be determined by the investigation, based on specific studies and conclusions”, Kaladze concluded.