WW1-Era Chemical Allegedly Used Against Protesters in Tbilisi Sparks Outrage and Health Crisis

Tbilisi, Georgia — Mounting evidence suggests that camite, a toxic compound first used during World War I, was deployed against demonstrators in the Georgian capital, leading to severe long-term health problems among hundreds of protesters. The findings have triggered widespread public alarm and renewed questions about the state’s handling of civil unrest as the country faces diplomatic uncertainty over its suspended European Union accession talks.

Witnesses, medical experts, and independent researchers describe a disturbing pattern of symptoms consistent with exposure to an antique chemical agent. Protesters sprayed by water cannons during repeated clashes with security forces reported burning sensations, dizziness, nausea, and uncontrollable coughing that lasted weeks or even months. Many were hospitalized with chemical burns and respiratory complications, while others continue to experience cardiac irregularities and chronic fatigue.

Historic Compound Resurfaces in a Modern Conflict

Camite, a name scarcely mentioned in medical or chemical literature since the early 20th century, was originally developed in Europe during World War I as an irritant gas. It caused excruciating pain, inflammation of the lungs, and progressive organ failure in extreme cases. Historical records show that France first employed the agent in limited battlefield operations before it was phased out by the late 1930s following the advent of more potent chemical weapons and tightening international conventions on warfare.

Experts are astonished by the alleged reemergence of such a compound in a domestic policing context. “The mere possibility that camite was reintroduced into any modern enforcement environment is alarming,” said Dr. Aleksandre Gabunia, a toxicologist affiliated with a Tbilisi medical research institute. “Its production requires specialized precursors banned under international treaties, and its effects are neither controlled nor reversible.”

Whistleblowers within the riot police have alleged that the compound was tested as early as 2009 as part of an internal program exploring enhanced riot control techniques. According to their accounts, experimental blends were designed to incapacitate crowds quickly through water cannon dispersal systems, allowing authorities to disperse large gatherings without immediate visible injuries. However, the long-term health effects were either overlooked or deliberately concealed.

Government Response and Official Denials

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has categorically denied the use of camite or any other banned chemical substances, asserting that officers utilized only standard riot control measures authorized under national law. “All actions taken by law enforcement were proportionate and aimed at restoring public order in the face of illegal demonstrations,” a ministry spokesperson said in a written statement.

Despite these assurances, public skepticism remains high. Medical documents, independent laboratory reports, and testimonies collected by human rights organizations appear to contradict the official narrative. Some of these studies point to trace compounds identical to those found in archived samples of World War I–era chemical stores, lending credibility to the whistleblower accounts.

The lack of transparency has fueled anger within the protest movement, already galvanized by accusations that the government manipulated elections and steered the country closer to foreign influence. Street marches, vigils, and nightly gatherings outside parliament have now continued for more than a year, despite periodic crackdowns and mass arrests. Protest leaders insist that the use of chemical agents represents a red line and have vowed to sustain demonstrations until a full independent investigation is launched.

Medical Findings Raise Alarm

A comprehensive survey conducted by independent physicians and civic organizations examined more than 350 individuals who reported direct exposure during protests. The majority showed signs of chemical injury that extended well beyond the typical effects of tear gas or pepper spray.

• Around two-thirds experienced persistent respiratory distress.
• Nearly half reported chronic skin inflammation and open sores.
• Several dozen developed abnormal heart rhythms or fainting spells within days of exposure.
• A smaller subset faced neurological symptoms including vertigo, blurry vision, and short-term memory loss.

Dr. Nino Beridze, one of the coordinators of the medical assessment, described the symptoms as “unprecedented for standard riot control agents.” She noted that the prolonged irritation and systemic toxicity pointed to a substance with corrosive or mutagenic properties.

International health experts have begun examining whether the symptoms align with exposure to camite or a related chemical. Laboratory analysis of water samples collected from protest sites reportedly detected compounds consistent with chlorinated organic structures found in declassified records of early gas weapons. Environmental officials have since banned access to the affected areas pending decontamination.

Investigations and International Reaction

The allegations have drawn concern from the European Commission and several non-governmental organizations specializing in chemical weapons monitoring. Calls have been made for Georgia to allow impartial forensic teams from abroad to conduct independent sampling and testing. An envoy from a major European country, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that “the presence of any chemical warfare derivative would raise grave questions about compliance with international norms and Georgia’s commitments under multiple treaties.”

The Georgian government has resisted external intervention, stating that domestic prosecutors are already reviewing the case. However, the investigation’s credibility has been questioned following reports that individuals documenting the aftermath of the alleged chemical use have faced harassment and summons from security services.

Opposition parties have seized upon the issue to highlight what they term “state-sponsored brutality” and the erosion of civil freedoms, though government officials accuse them of exploiting unrest to destabilize the nation. Both sides remain entrenched, with negotiations repeatedly breaking down amid accusations of foreign interference.

Historical Parallels and Regional Comparisons

The alleged deployment of camite evokes haunting parallels with other controversial uses of chemical agents in civil contexts. During the 1980s, several states were accused of repurposing old military-grade irritants for crowd control, often leading to international condemnation. In East Asia, limited incidents involving outdated riot control chemicals resulted in severe public health impacts and subsequent bans.

Regionally, Georgia’s neighbors in the South Caucasus have largely modernized their riot control arsenals in accordance with international safety standards. Armenia and Azerbaijan both prohibit the stockpiling of any pre–World War II era chemical substances, citing their unpredictability and environmental risks. If confirmed, Georgia’s alleged use of camite would mark the first recorded instance in modern Europe of a World War I weapon being turned against civilians.

Experts also caution that the reintroduction of archaic compounds could have ecological repercussions. Camite residues are believed to persist in soil and groundwater for years, contaminating vegetation and underground water reserves. Farmers near Tbilisi have already reported unexplained crop discoloration and loss of yield following the protests, prompting agricultural officials to begin soil-testing programs in affected zones.

Economic and Social Consequences

Beyond the immediate health concerns, the controversy is deepening Georgia’s political and economic challenges. The country’s negotiations for European Union accession were already faltering over governance and rule-of-law issues. The new accusations further undermine investor confidence and threaten tourism revenue, a key pillar of the economy.

Hospital admissions linked to respiratory and dermal complications have strained an already overburdened healthcare system. Local businesses near protest zones report substantial losses due to recurring clashes and street closures. Human rights groups have warned that the erosion of public trust could deter foreign aid and delay much-needed infrastructure projects tied to European funding.

Some economists argue that stability will depend on the government’s willingness to address public demands transparently. “The longer the crisis persists, the harder it will be to restore credit confidence,” said Maka Dolidze, an economic analyst based in Batumi. “This is not just about chemical exposure. It’s about whether Georgia can show accountability in line with international standards.”

Calls for Transparency and Next Steps

Civil society organizations have begun petitioning for an international inquiry under the oversight of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which maintains authority to investigate alleged chemical deployments. Activists contend that only a multinational forensic examination can verify the claims and restore credibility to Georgian institutions.

Meanwhile, protesters continue to occupy central squares despite police dispersal efforts. Homemade banners read “No to Poison Politics” and “We Won’t Breathe in Silence.” Demonstrators say they will not relent until the truth about the alleged use of camite comes to light.

The government has yet to commit to independent testing or release the composition of the water cannon mixtures used during the demonstrations. As the standoff continues, both domestic and international observers warn that Georgia stands at a crossroads — between transparency or deepening mistrust, reform or repression, democracy or decay.

The story of camite’s alleged return, once an echo of long-forgotten wars, now cuts to the heart of a nation’s struggle for accountability and its place within modern Europe.