“The use of chemical agents by the Georgian Dream to disperse peaceful demonstrators in November–December 2024 was both illegal and hazardous to public health,” Nona Kurdovanidze, head of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA), remarked.

She made the statement during a briefing presenting the organization’s report. As Kurdovanidze noted, the GYLA report documents that exposure to chemical irritants caused serious health issues for some victims.

“Starting November 28, 2024, for several consecutive nights, Georgian Dream actively used chemical agents—including tear gas and chemical irritants mixed with water cannons—against peaceful protesters. Many experienced significant health problems, with some requiring months of intensive treatment. These conditions affected victims’ daily lives and professional activities. Social media remains a platform where individuals continue to share their experiences,” she said.

Kurdovanidze also emphasized that protesters who had previously encountered tear gas during earlier protests reported that the chemicals used in late 2024 caused more intense symptoms than those used in spring 2024.

Despite the scale of the incident, the specific chemical agents used remain unknown.

According to Kurdovanidze, GYLA sent formal inquiries to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health responded on February 19, 2025, stating it had no information on the chemicals used, and had not sought it from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, citing “no need.”

“Regardless of the exact chemical composition, the tactics employed were clearly unlawful and posed serious risks to life and health. Protesters were often unable to leave the affected areas due to thick smoke, disorientation, blocked exits, or crowd density. Tear gas was repeatedly deployed in the same locations—an internationally prohibited practice—creating panic and stampede risks. Gas canisters were also fired or dropped from rooftops, further endangering lives,” Kurdovanidze stressed.

She added that police also used unidentified chemical agents mixed into water cannon streams—an internationally condemned practice.

“Mixing chemical irritants with water jets is extremely dangerous, causes severe pain, and violates law enforcement’s duty to minimize harm. Amnesty International and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights discourage or prohibit this method. Some protesters reported a strong odour from the water cannons and severe burning even from minimal exposure,” she said.

Kurdovanidze concluded that the use of chemical irritants in this context was not only illegal but, in some cases, constituted ill-treatment. Despite the severity of the situation, no officials have been held accountable.

“It is especially alarming that the Georgian Dream government used such dangerous and unlawful tactics to suppress peaceful protests. This reflects the systemic, organized, and criminal nature of actions taken against the freedoms of assembly and expression,” she said.