§  What is camite and why was it banned.?

§  What were the symptoms protesters experienced from the chemical.?

§  Is using camite as a riot-control agent legal under international law.?

§  What Is Camite.? The WW1 Chemical Compound Used on Georgian Protesters

§  @BBC Investigation: Georgia Used Toxic Water Cannon on Anti‑Government Protesters

§  Georgian Police Water Cannon: @BBC Evidence Points to Camite Chemical Weapon

Georgia Protest: A shocking @BBC investigation has uncovered that Georgian authorities used a World War One-era chemical weapon called camite against pro-EU protesters in Tbilisi last year.
The toxic compound, mixed into water cannons, caused severe burning sensations, breathing difficulties and vomiting that persisted for weeks. Nearly half of 350 surveyed protesters reported symptoms lasting more than 30 days with some showing heart abnormalities.

Details & Context

The Discovery

The @BBC World Service investigation, titled “When Water Burns,” reveals that Georgian riot police deployed camite—a chemical weapon first used by France in WW1 and abandoned in the 1930s due to its dangerous, long-lasting effects.

Key evidence includes:

·       Medical study by Dr. Konstantine Chakhunashvili, a pediatrician and protester

·       Whistleblower testimony from former riot police weapons chief Lasha Shergelashvili

·       Police inventory listing UN1710 and UN3439 chemicals

·       Expert analysis by toxicology professor Christopher Holstege

The Protests

Demonstrations began on 28 November 2024 after the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended EU accession talks—despite EU membership being enshrined in Georgia’s constitution.

Protesters gathered outside parliament on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, demanding the government reverse its pro-Russian tilt. Police responded with water cannons, pepper spray and CS gas. But the water cannons contained something far more dangerous.

The Victims

Gela Khasaia, one of the protesters, described the experience
“You could feel the water burning. It could not be washed off.”

Dr. Konstantine Chakhunashvili, who was sprayed himself, conducted a study of nearly 350 protesters

·       Almost 50% suffered side effects for over 30 days

·       Symptoms included: headaches, fatigue, coughs, shortness of breath, vomiting

·       69 people showed heart electrical signal abnormalities

The study was peer-reviewed and accepted for publication in Toxicology Reports.

Quotes

From Victims & Experts

Dr. Konstantine Chakhunashvili:
“My skin felt like it was burning for days. Washing made it worse.”

Lasha Shergelashvili, former riot police weapons chief:
“The effect was not wearing off like regular tear gas. Even after washing with baking soda solution, we couldn’t breathe freely. It’s probably 10 times stronger than conventional agents.”

Prof Christopher Holstege, toxicology expert:
“The persistence of clinical effects is not consistent with typical agents like CS gas. I’ve never seen camite used in modern society. It’s highly irritating and persistent.”

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Edwards:
“Populations should never be subjected to experimental weapons. These symptoms go beyond what is temporary or acceptable. All cases should be investigated under torture or ill-treatment frameworks.”

From Georgian Authorities

The Georgian Dream party and Interior Ministry dismissed the findings as “deeply frivolous” and “absurd”, claiming police acted “within the bounds of law” against “illegal actions of brutal criminals”.

Additional Information

The Chemical: Camite

Camite (bromobenzyl cyanide) was:

·       Developed by France during WW1 against Germany

·       Abandoned in the 1930s due to long-lasting effects

·       Replaced by CS gas (tear gas)

·       Briefly used by US police post-WW1, then abandoned

The police inventory from December 2019 listed:

·       UN1710: Trichloroethylene (solvent to dissolve chemicals in water)

·       UN3439: Category including bromobenzyl cyanide (camite)

Whistleblower Account

·       Lasha Shergelashvili tested the compound in 2009 with 15-20 colleagues:

·       Immediate difficulty breathing near the spray zone

·       Could not wash off even with water and baking soda solution

·       Recommended against use, but water cannons were loaded anyway

·       Continued until 2022 when he quit and left Georgia

From his new home in Ukraine, he recognized the same chemical in protest footage and confirmed with active colleagues that the same compound was used in November-December 2024 protests.

International Law Context

Under international law, police can use chemicals for crowd control only if:

·       Effects are temporary

·       Use is proportionate

Camite’s persistent effects likely classify it as a chemical weapon, violating human rights law.

READ MORE: December Bank Holidays: 13 Days Banks Will Be Closed – Check State Wise List Before You Visit

Impact Analysis

Human Rights Crisis

The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture labeled this an “experimental weapon” violation. The lack of regulation around water cannon chemicals is a global concern.

Georgia’s situation is particularly alarming because:

·       Pro-EU protesters were targeted for political reasons

·       Government transparency is lacking (Ministry refused to disclose chemical composition)

·       Medical treatment was hampered without knowing the agent used

Political Context

The protests reflect Georgia’s struggle between EU aspirations and Russian influence. The Georgian Dream party, led by honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been accused of:

·       Rigging elections

·       Siding with Russian interests

·       Draconian legislation against civil society

Despite increased fines and jail terms, protests continue nightly on Rustaveli Avenue, marking a grim anniversary of the halted EU bid.

Medical & Legal Implications

Dr. Alice Edwards (UN) insists all cases must be investigated as potential torture. The persistent symptoms (heart abnormalities, respiratory issues) indicate serious long-term health consequences for demonstrators.

Medical experts warn that camite’s revival in modern policing sets a dangerous precedent for authoritarian regimes worldwide.

Conclusion

The @BBC investigation provides compelling evidence that Georgian authorities used camite—a WW1-era chemical weapon—against pro-EU protesters, causing severe, long-lasting health damage.

Whistleblower testimony, medical studies, police inventory and expert analysis all point to the same conclusion: Georgian riot police deployed an obsolete, highly toxic compound that violates international human rights law.

The Georgian Dream government denies wrongdoing but nightly protests continue as citizens demand accountability, transparency and a return to the EU path.

This case serves as a stark warning: without strict regulation, chemical weapons can re-enter modern policing, threatening democracy and human rights globally.

Call to Action (CTA)

This Georgia protest chemical weapon investigation reveals shocking abuse of power. To stay informed on global human rights violations, breaking investigations, and democracy movements:

·       Follow and share The Daily Hints across all platforms

·       Demand international accountability for Georgia’s chemical weapon use

·       Support independent journalism like @BBC Eye Investigations

Your engagement helps amplify the voices of Georgian protesters fighting for their future.

Follow The Daily Hints on Social Media,

      §  Facebook

      §  Instagram

      §  Threads

      §  WhatsApp

      §  YouTube

      §  Twitter

      §  Email ID

From West Bengal District’s News to Kolkata News, Other States News to Whole India News, International News, Entertainment News to Sports News, Science News to Technology News and all other news updates, follow and Support our news portal @TheDailyHints.

-        END