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Georgia’s State Security Service opens investigation into BBC report -UPDATED-1

01 December 2025 18:03 (UTC +04:00)

The State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia has launched an investigation regarding the information broadcast by the BBC, SSS said in a statement, APA’s local bureau reports.

The purpose of the investigation is to determine in detail what information the BBC’s interviews were based on, which facts the individuals referred to, and how relevant and reliable this information may be.

“The only established fact so far is that the published material contains signs of a crime that, on one hand, is directed against the life and health of citizens and significantly violates their and society’s legitimate interests, and on the other hand, contains signs of a crime aimed at harming the state interests by seriously damaging Georgia’s national interests, international image, and reputation,” the statement said.

The investigation is being conducted under articles related to abuse of official authority and assisting hostile activities of a foreign organization.

The SSS stated that the investigation will continue in all directions and that the public will be regularly informed in detail about the results.

Note that the BBC report claimed that toxic substances dating back to the First World War were used to disperse protests held in Tbilisi last year. The ruling Georgian Dream party has filed an international lawsuit against the broadcaster for defamation.

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14:13

Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party has filed a lawsuit against the BBC in international courts, the party said in a statement, APA reports.

It was noted that the BBC had made serious accusations against the Georgian government based on claims made by interested parties, which have no connection to reality.

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14:11

The BBC's plot about the protests in Tbilisi has been met with discontent in Georgia, APA's local bureau reports.

The plot claimed that toxic substances from the First World War were used to disperse the demonstrations held in Tbilisi last year.

Commenting on the issue, the head of the ruling "Georgian Dream" party faction, Irakli Kirtskhalia, called the BBC's plot a new absurdity.

He emphasized that this is no longer "brainwashing" but a serious insult to society.

"A few days ago, the director and head of the BBC news department were forced to resign for spreading lies. Now they have come up with a new absurdity - allegedly wartime chemical weapons were used against protesters in Georgia. This also demonstrates even more clearly the scale and absurdity of the actions of the agency and their patrons," Kirtskhalia added.

Davit Matikashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Procedural Matters, in turn, stated that an adequate response will be given to the information contained in the BBC material. He noted that the information presented in the plot is baseless and nonsense.