UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty said the United Kingdom expects Georgia to fulfil its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, including properly investigating any alleged breaches involving the use of toxic chemicals.
Doughty made the remarks in response to a parliamentary question from MP Jessica Morden, who asked how the UK assesses allegations that Georgian authorities used bromobenzyl cyanide against demonstrators.
“I was deeply concerned by the BBC report alleging that Georgian police used toxic chemicals against protesters in Tbilisi in late 2024,” Doughty said.
He added that London expects Georgia “to fulfil its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention to ensure that any alleged breaches of the Convention’s prohibitions on the use of toxic chemicals are properly investigated.”
The BBC published an investigative report in late 2024 alleging that Georgian police used a World War I–era toxic chemical—bromobenzyl cyanide—during the dispersal of anti-government protests in Tbilisi. The investigation drew on testimony from chemical weapons experts, Georgian special police informants, and medical professionals. The BBC claims that the evidence it obtained indicated that the substance was deployed against demonstrators, causing severe burns and long-term health complications. The report prompted calls from international partners for an independent and thorough inquiry.
