“The BBC was deliberately provided with false information that was directly aimed at undermining our national interests, and this can legitimately be regarded as a crime,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told journalists.

According to the Prime Minister, when a specific broadcaster deliberately disseminates false information that harms Georgia’s national interests, this can be legally construed as hostile activity.

“When you assist a particular organisation in spreading falsehoods that threaten the state, this can be considered a criminal offence. While I am not the one responsible for determining the legal qualification of a crime, that falls to the relevant authorities, generally speaking, providing false information that undermines the state’s interests can be regarded as a criminal offence.

The broadcaster was supplied with false information claiming that a certain substance had been used. This was a deliberately fabricated lie, aimed squarely against our national interests. Accordingly, it can be legitimately regarded as a crime. When a specific broadcaster knowingly spreads falsehoods directed against Georgia’s national interests, this can also be legally regarded as hostile activity. Any sanctions based on such falsehoods would hold no weight.

The BBC has expressed trust in the Chakhunashvilis. The BBC has descended to the level of the Chakhunashvilis, as well as a certain treacherous Special Task Force representative, who have been spreading countless lies all this time. This latest falsehood clarifies everything for the public,” the Prime Minister stated.

Adding to his comments, Irakli Kobakhidze told journalists that the ruling team had provided the BBC with a detailed response at the time, which, however, was completely disregarded.

As the Prime Minister pointed out, the BBC relied solely on the statements of the father and son Chakhunashvili, thus proving that the BBC acted as a propagandist outlet.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs, along with the Minister personally, will share information confirming that what the BBC disseminated was entirely false. I cannot take responsibility for the BBC’s lie. We have provided comprehensive answers to all their questions. The Minister of Internal Affairs will also clarify which substance was allegedly used. As for the substance “camite”, it was not used at all. That is simply a lie. The Minister of Internal Affairs will inform you in detail about the facts.

Our team gave the BBC a thorough and detailed response, but they chose to ignore it entirely. They relied instead on the statements of the Chakhunashvili father and son, not on our official response. This clearly shows that the BBC behaved as a fake television outlet,” the Prime Minister concluded.

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.