Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has called on the United Kingdom to formally apologize for a BBC report alleging the use of a World War One-era chemical agent during protests in 2024, escalating a diplomatic dispute rooted in media accountability. The government in Tbilisi announced plans to pursue legal action through UK regulators and courts, asserting the broadcaster spread "incorrect information" to "artificially create a scandal."
The BBC investigation, published earlier this month, claimed Georgian authorities deployed camite during crowd-control operations last year—a claim the government vehemently denies. Kobakhidze emphasized that domestic investigations into the protests have concluded, with findings ready to be shared with international bodies. "Materials used were fully explained and aligned with standard crowd-control measures," he stated.
Georgia's push for accountability highlights growing tensions over media integrity and cross-border legal challenges. The prime minister affirmed the government would utilize "every legal avenue," including appeals to UK media regulator Ofcom, to compel a retraction. The case underscores broader debates about balancing press freedom with governmental claims of defamation in an increasingly interconnected media landscape.
