Doctor Chakhunashvili: It is absurd to say we mentioned chemical weapons; our work was purely clinical, driven by goodwill

“Clinical analysis, clinical examination, and clinical research are entirely different disciplines; they serve the purpose of health prevention and management, “Doctor Giorgi Chakhunashvili emphasised during his appearance before the Tbilisi City Court.

He clarified that there was no mention of chemical weapons or poisoning in his interview with the BBC.

“This was purely clinical work; there was no discussion of anything else. It was solely driven by our good intentions as doctors to inform the public if we had uncovered anything significant. It is absurd; we neither discussed chemical weapons nor poisoning. We simply carried out research. Clinical analysis, clinical examination, and clinical research are entirely separate, each serving the process of health prevention and management,” Chakhunashvili stated.

For context: The BBC has recently published an investigative report titled: WW1 toxic compound sprayed on Georgian protesters, BBC evidence suggests. The BBC alleges the use of chemical weapons from the First World War, citing paediatrician Konstantine Chakhunashvili, former head of the Special Task Force Lasha Shergelashvili, and expert Prof Christopher Holstege as sources. Respondents also include Eka Gigauri and Giorgi Bachiashvili. In the report, Lasha Shergelashvili states that, “in his opinion, this is the same substance he was asked to test for in a water cannon in 2009.”

Furthermore, the BBC states that “the Georgian authorities said our investigation findings were ‘absurd’ and the police had acted legally in response to the ‘illegal actions of brutal criminals’”. Meanwhile, Georgian Dream announced legal action against the BBC in international courts over ‘false’ allegations. Furthermore, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) has initiated an investigation into the BBC’s public reporting on crime.