Evidence gathered by the BBC indicates that Georgian authorities may have employed a World War I-era chemical weapon, known as “camite,” to disperse anti-government protesters in Tbilisi. Demonstrators, protesting the government’s suspension of its European Union accession bid, reported experiencing prolonged symptoms, including burning sensations, shortness of breath, coughing, and vomiting after being sprayed by water cannon.
Experts, including chemical weapons specialists and whistleblowers from Georgia’s riot police, suggest that the symptoms and effects observed align with the properties of camite, which had been previously used by the French military. Camite is noted for its persistence and irritant qualities, leading to doubts about its legality as a crowd-control agent under international law.
Dr. Konstantine Chakhunashvili, a pediatrician who participated in the protests, conducted a survey among nearly 350 affected individuals. His findings showed that almost half experienced symptoms lasting more than 30 days, with 69 participants demonstrating abnormal heart signal prevalence during examinations. This supports the assertion that the water cannon may have been laced with a chemical agent.
In addition to Dr. Chakhunashvili’s research, a former head of weaponry in Georgia’s riot police, Lasha Shergelashvili, reiterated concerns about the potential use of camite, recalling its strong, lingering effects that differ from conventional methods like CS gas. Investigations into police inventory records confirmed the presence of hazardous chemicals likely associated with riot control.
While the Georgian authorities have labeled these allegations as unfounded, they maintain that police actions were lawful in response to what they termed illegal protests. Protests continue sporadically, reflecting ongoing dissatisfaction with the government, including accusations of electoral manipulation and alignment with Russian interests.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrk7g50e1po?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss