The Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) has accused the Georgian Dream government of illegally using unidentified chemicals, such as tear gas and chemical-laced water cannons, against peaceful protesters in late 2024.
As GYLA declared, “chemical irritants caused significant damage to health,” with some victims going through months of treatment. Protesters reported far stronger effects than during earlier demonstrations.
Despite requests, the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Health have not disclosed what substances were used. “We did not receive a response,” said GYLA, adding that the Health Ministry claimed it saw no need to request the information from police.
GYLA called the use of such chemicals ‘dangerous’ and ‘illegal,’ warning that no one has been held accountable for the usage and saying that is ‘systematic and criminal.’
