Imagine a government turning its own water cannons into weapons of chemical warfare against its citizens. This is the shocking allegation at the heart of the BBC Eye Investigations’ latest documentary, When Water Burns – The Fight for Georgia. But here's where it gets controversial... Could a World War One-era chemical agent have been used to suppress anti-government protests in Tbilisi? The BBC’s award-winning team has uncovered evidence that suggests exactly that.
In a deeply troubling exposé, the documentary reveals that protesters in Georgia were likely exposed to ‘camite,’ a chemical weapon first deployed during World War One. Protesters described the water cannons as causing a burning sensation, with one individual sharing a harrowing photograph of his peeling skin, a result of irritation that lasted for weeks. And this is the part most people miss... The effects weren’t just temporary—a medical study conducted by Dr. Konstantine Chakhunashvili, who was himself a protester, found that nearly half of the 350 participants suffered long-term health issues, including respiratory problems and skin conditions. Some even experienced changes in their lungs and heart.
The investigation doesn’t stop there. High-level whistleblowers from Georgia’s riot police provided critical insights, including a classified inventory from the Special Tasks Department, which detailed the mixing of two chemicals far more potent than standard tear gas. A former Head of Weaponry confirmed testing a mixture that was ‘10 times stronger’ than regular tear gas, causing severe breathing difficulties and vomiting among officers.
Here’s where it gets even more unsettling... Professor Christopher Holstege, a leading toxicology expert, reviewed the BBC’s evidence—medical studies, witness accounts, whistleblower testimonies, and human rights reports—and concluded that the chemical in question could indeed be camite. The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Dr. Alice Jill Edwards, went further, suggesting its use could violate human rights law and classify it as an ‘experimental weapon.’
Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has dismissed these claims as ‘deeply frivolous’ and ‘absurd,’ insisting that law enforcement acted within legal boundaries. But the question remains: Were these measures proportionate, or did they cross a dangerous line?
When Water Burns – The Fight for Georgia is a stark reminder of the lengths to which governments might go to quell dissent. Available on BBC iPlayer in the UK and the BBC World Service YouTube channel internationally, this documentary is a must-watch for anyone concerned about human rights and state accountability. But we want to hear from you... Do you think the use of such chemicals, even in riot control, is ever justifiable? Let us know in the comments below.
Watch When Water Burns: The Fight for Georgia on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002nysf/eye-investigations-when-water-burns-the-fight-for-georgia. Follow for more groundbreaking investigations.
