Day: January 16, 2026

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Georgian Dream files complaint with the BBC

The Georgian government has filed an official complaint with the British public broadcaster BBC, demanding the removal of a previously published article and documentary, as well as a public apology.

Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, says the BBC breached editorial standards and the principles of accuracy and impartiality. It argues that the broadcaster presented unsubstantiated claims as established facts.

The complaint concerns a BBC report that suggests Georgian authorities used “kamite” — a First World War-era chemical weapon — during the dispersal of protests in Georgia in 2024.

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Lasha Shargelashvili: “It was tested in 2009 or earlier, but proved too toxic”

According to Georgia’s parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili, the government sent the complaint to the BBC on 14 January. He said the complaint relies entirely on the BBC’s own editorial guidelines, the broadcasting code of the UK communications regulator Ofcom, and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

Papuashvili said claims about the use of “camite” do not rest on any independent or credible sources. He added that an investigation carried out by the Georgian authorities found that the substance had never been used and had never been in the possession of the country’s interior ministry. On this basis, Papuashvili accused the BBC of a “gross violation” of its obligations to ensure accuracy.

Georgian NGOs appeal to UN on chemical weapons ban

They called for an international investigation into the possible use of “camite” during the protests.

The ruling party also says the BBC portrayed events as if protesters did not use violence against law enforcement officers and as if the dispersal of rallies lacked any justification. Shalva Papuashvili said this amounted to a “misinterpretation of the facts” and failed to reflect the full picture.

Papuashvili also said the BBC “falsely and without reliable evidence” claimed that Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, took part in decision-making over the dispersal of what the authorities describe as “violent gatherings” in 2024.

“A serious problem is also the breach of the principle of impartiality,” Papuashvili said. “The programme promotes a clearly one-sided narrative. It presents the Georgian authorities as organisers of violence and portrays them as ‘pro-Russian’ and ‘acting in Russia’s interests’.”

He added that the coverage ignored the government’s position, official explanations from law enforcement agencies and the broader context required for an objective assessment of the events.

“This is not ‘кamit’” – Georgian security services officially refute BBC claims of chemical poisoning of protesters

SSG: “Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, which is not a banned substance, was added to the water cannons. All BBC respondents deny saying anything about the use of the poisonous substance ‘kamit’”

Shalva Papuashvili also accused the BBC of breaching the right to a fair reply. He said the broadcaster contacted the Georgian authorities only a few days before publication. According to Papuashvili, this left insufficient time to provide a full response.

He also pointed to what he described as “elements of defamation”. Papuashvili said the programme relied on statements by specific individuals without disclosing their credibility, possible conflicts of interest or background to the audience.

“As a result, viewers receive a distorted picture in which assumptions and hypotheses are presented as established facts,” Papuashvili said.

He added that if the BBC fails to correct the alleged violations, the next step will involve a complaint to the UK communications regulator Ofcom, followed by legal action in British courts. Papuashvili also said he does not rule out an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

Amnesty International: probe “kamit” use in Georgia, impose police equipment embargo on the country

The organization criticizes the “hostile activity” charges brought against experts, witnesses, and human rights defenders who acted as BBC respondents

Georgian Dream files complaint with the BBC