On December 1, 2025, the BBC aired an investigation suggesting that Georgian authorities used camite, a World War One -era chemical agent, to disperse protesters during anti-government demonstrations last year. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has rejected the report as false and is demanding a public apology from the UK.
Kobakhidze accused the BBC of attempting to “artificially create a scandal” based on incorrect information. He noted that Georgia’s own inquiry into the events has concluded, and the government is prepared to share full documentation with any international organization that requests it.
“The UK should apologize for the false report aired by its public broadcaster,” Kobakhidze said, adding that the substances used during crowd-control operations were standard compounds deployed alongside water cannons.
To seek accountability, Georgia plans to file an appeal with Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, and, if needed, take the case to court. “We will use every legal means to ensure that the BBC is forced to apologize for the lie it spread,” the prime minister said.
This dispute highlights the role of regulatory oversight in cross-border journalism and the legal frameworks nations can use to address contested reports.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
