Let’s unpack this report from the State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) in a way that feels more like a conversation than a dry official statement. Imagine you’re hearing this from someone who’s genuinely concerned about their country’s image and stability.
The SSG is essentially saying, “Hold on a minute, BBC. What you’re reporting about us using this nasty chemical weapon called ‘Camite’ against our own people? That’s just outright false, and frankly, it feels like you’re trying to stir up trouble for Georgia.” They’re not mincing words, suggesting that the BBC’s story is a “targeted disinformation” campaign designed to harm Georgia’s interests. What’s more, they believe some Georgian citizens were actively involved in this narrative, working hand-in-hand with the BBC, and that this whole thing was a well-oiled machine with “hostile goals” in mind. It’s a pretty strong accusation, painting a picture of an external attack on Georgia’s reputation, potentially fueled by internal collaborators.
This isn’t happening in a vacuum, either. The SSG points out that they’ve seen a pattern of “disinformation and double-standard information campaigns” coming from Western countries and institutions in recent years. They feel this has actually played into the hands of those who want to promote anti-Western sentiment within Georgia, including some local groups and even foreign intelligence services. It’s like they’re saying, “When respected Western outlets spread what we see as false information, it just gives ammunition to those who want to spread distrust of the West among our own people.” So, when the BBC’s report came out about chemical substances being used during protests in late 2024, the SSG saw it as another piece of this ongoing puzzle, a potentially damaging blow to Georgia’s stability and international standing. They believe they acted swiftly, conducting rapid investigations and proactively sharing information to prevent the negative fallout they feared the BBC story would cause.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of their counter-argument. The SSG emphatically states that the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has never purchased “bromobenzyl cyanide,” the substance commonly known as “Camite.” To back this up, they detail an extensive investigation: over 160 actions, 93 witnesses questioned – everyone from current and former MIA officials to doctors, experts, and even some of the BBC’s own sources. They also seized mountains of documents from the MIA and Customs Department. What they found, they say, is that the chemical powder the MIA does use for crowd control is “chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile,” or CS gas. This, they explain, was bought from an Israeli company in 2007 and 2009, along with a solvent called “trichloroethylene.” They even have the international shipping codes (UN 3439 for the CS gas and UN 1710 for the solvent) recorded in customs documents and other records, including write-off acts. As further proof, they confiscated a 17.5 kg barrel of the powder, complete with a label clearly stating “chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile” and its UN code.
They then bolster their point about the shipping codes by showing that UN3439 and UN1710 have been used hundreds of times over the past 20 years, not just by the Georgian MIA, but by various other Georgian organizations. This, they imply, demonstrates the commonality and legitimate use of these codes for substances other than the alleged “Camite.” Crucially, they reiterate – loud and clear – that “bromobenzyl cyanide,” or “Camite,” has never been purchased by the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. It’s a focused effort to dismantle the core claim of the BBC report with concrete evidence and documentation.
The SSG then delves into the BBC’s sources. They say they questioned the very witnesses whose statements and “conclusions” partially formed the basis of the BBC’s story. And guess what? According to the SSG, these witnesses all stated that their information didn’t concern “Camite” and they couldn’t confirm its use because they hadn’t conducted the necessary research. This raises a significant question about the BBC’s journalistic rigor, suggesting their sources were either misinterpreted or misquoted. Furthermore, medical and expert communities questioned during the investigation confirmed that “bromobenzyl cyanide” (Camite) is an incredibly dangerous substance, potentially fatal, and indeed banned since the 1930s. The SSG also presents data from the MIA showing that after the protests, 54 people were taken to hospitals, with only five having mild intoxication, all discharged the next day. This minor public health impact, they argue, is completely inconsistent with the use of a highly toxic substance like Camite. They underline that in early December 2024, “chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile” (CS gas) was used for crowd management with “propylene glycol” as a solvent – neither of which is prohibited.
Finally, the SSG highlights a particularly telling detail: they couldn’t even question a key witness on whose information the BBC’s author supposedly relied heavily. Why? Because this individual was already involved in a separate case related to the purchase and storage of TNT. This, for the SSG, further casts doubt on the credibility of the BBC’s reporting. Bringing all this evidence together, the SSG concludes that the BBC’s story about “Camite” was “targeted disinformation” aimed at harming Georgia. As a result, they’re not just closing the book; they’re continuing their investigation, not into the use of chemical weapons, but into “assisting a foreign organization in hostile activities” – a very serious charge that points fingers at those they believe colluded with the BBC. It’s a clear message: Georgia is pushing back, hard, against what it perceives as an attack on its sovereignty and reputation.