Georgian PM: UK must apologize for spreading false BBC report

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said that the United Kingdom should apologise for a fake report broadcast by the BBC, adding that Tbilisi intends to appeal to the UK’s media regulator Ofcom and, if necessary, to the courts.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted that his Government would use “every legal avenue” to ensure the BBC apologises for the misinformation it allegedly disseminated.

“I believe the UK should apologise for the false report aired by its public broadcaster. This is the first thing the UK owes, because the BBC is a publicly funded broadcaster. The first step should be an apology for the fake story they disseminated. It was an entirely artificial attempt to create a scandal, based on falsehood”, he said.

The PM highlighted that the investigation into the events referenced in the BBC report was closed, and the Government was ready to provide full information to any international actor.

“We have publicly stated that any international organisation may request details of this investigation, and we will provide full information. As for the substances used, everything has been explained in detail - the materials mentioned by the State Security Service were applied in all instances where water cannons were used. Everything is crystal clear. Any international actor can request documentation and details about the substances; we are fully prepared for transparency”, Kobakhidze noted.

The Prime Minister added that five individuals sought medical assistance due to mild intoxication and were discharged the following day, contrasting the situation with 9 April, when he said the use of chemical agents had caused far more severe outcomes.

Kobakhidze reiterated that Georgia would pursue all legal procedures.

“We plan to appeal to Ofcom, the British regulatory commission, and then to the courts, if needed. We will use every legal means to ensure that the BBC is forced to apologise for the lie it spread”, he concluded.