ISTANBUL

A BBC report alleging that Georgian authorities used a World War I-era chemical agent known as Camite against protesters last year is deliberate disinformation aimed at harming the country, which refuses to follow externally imposed orders from the "Deep State," Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili claimed in an interview with Imedi TV on Sunday.

“They are deliberately creating a background that will only serve to worsen their attitude towards our country,” he said, arguing that the backlash stems solely from officials’ refusal to perform the tasks imposed by the "Deep State."

“This is an order; we refused, and these are the Deep State’s retaliatory steps, executed through various means they control,” he said.

Kavelashvili said the BBC story reminded him of what he described as disinformation surrounding the alleged torture of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, claiming both cases serve “as deliberate disinformation.”

A BBC article published Sunday suggested that Georgian authorities deployed a “World War One–era chemical weapon,” known as Camite, to quell demonstrations last November.

However, according to the findings of an investigation conducted by Georgian authorities, the state’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has never used or imported Camite into the country, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Saturday.

“Moreover, the investigation determined that the MIA used neither Camite nor any other banned substances when dispersing violent protesters last year,” he said.

Citing the prime minister, Georgian National Broadcaster reported that the BBC article has become an opportunity for politically motivated groups to “wage a new hybrid war” against Georgia.

In response to the BBC report, Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced last week that it will take legal action against the British broadcaster in international courts over the allegations of Camite use.

The party said its communications team had remained in contact with the BBC journalist before the report's publication but claimed the broadcaster did not publish “even 1%” of the responses provided.

Kavelashvili also accused the BBC of publishing “completely unverified” claims that “harm” Georgia’s national interests.