Georgian Parliament official demands BBC apology, calls allegations against Georgia “hybrid attack”

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European Integration Committee, on Friday called on the BBC to issue a public apology to Georgia, accusing the broadcaster of spreading false allegations that aim to damage the country’s international reputation.

In his remarks, Makhashvili argued that the material produced by the broadcaster was not an isolated journalistic error but part of a wider pattern in which influential international media outlets made unfounded accusations without facing consequences.

“Of course, our main objective is for the truth to be established. For the truth to be stated very loudly and clearly, using the same methods through which false accusations were made against the Georgian authorities, so that everyone, both domestically and internationally, can see that this was not a single autonomous act, but rather one component of a major hybrid attack against Georgia carried out through the use of media outlets”, he said.

The official further noted that the primary objective of the Georgian authorities was for the BBC to formally acknowledge its mistake and apologise to Georgia.

“Therefore, our main goal is for this particular media outlet to apologise to Georgia. Overall, this is an attempt to tarnish Georgia’s reputation, and it must be clearly acknowledged that the Georgian authorities are right in this matter”, Makhashvili concluded.

The ruling Georgian Dream party filed an official complaint with the BBC, said on Thursday the Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.

As he noted, the complaint demanded the removal of the BBC film and related materials from relevant platforms, which alleged that the ruling Georgian Dream party used chemical weapons dating back to World War I during a protest rally in 2024, as well as a public and clear apology from the BBC.

The State Security Service of Georgia has rejected the allegations, stating that the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not use “Camite” during protest dispersals and that Georgia has never possessed or acquired the substance.