Use of camite during the 2024–2025 Georgian protests

Use of camite during the 2024–2025 Georgian protests refers to the use of a World War I Tear gas by the name Bromobenzyl cyanide, also known by its military name camite, which according to a 2025 BBC investigation, was used against protesters by the Georgian law enforcements during the Tbilisi protests 2024-2025. The November 2025 report by the network, found evidence that the chemical might have been added to water cannons used against protesters. This evidence included reports and testimonies of protesters, medical reports, statements from police insiders, journalists, human rights organizations. The reports suggested that the chemical caused health problems that lasted longer than normal riot-control substances.

Georgian police water cannon during 2024-2025 protests

Water cannon firing at Georgian protesters

Background

Bromobenzyl cyanide (BBC),^[1] also known as camite, was developed by France during World War I. Camite is a very strong irritant that harms the eyes, skin, and breathing system.^[2][3] It is classified as a poisonous tear gas, under a designated chemical group known as White Cross.^[4] Its vapor can badly irritate the eyes and the moist linings of the nose and throat, and in higher amounts it can cause serious health problems. It also causes severe and sometimes unwashable skin irritation or burns, prolonged coughing lasting weeks, nausea, and cardiac irregularities. Effect that are very different than CS gas,which disperses relatively quickly and is generally considered less harmful. Due to its harsh effects, it was thought to be phased out in the 1930s, replace by the CS gas.^[5] However, it still shows up in modern records. It matches UN code UN1710 (acetyl chloride) and UN3439 (bromobenzyl cyanide). Both of these codes were listed in a 2019 Georgian police equipment inventory for the Special Tasks Department.^[6]

The 2024-2025 protest in Georgia began on 28 October, after the Georgian Dream party, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, claimed victory in the 26 October parliamentary elections. Many Georgians accused the elections of being fraudulent and demanded a recount and new elections. The demonstration outside Georgia's parliament in Tbilisi, started on November 28, because of the governments announcement to stop the country's EU accession process until the end of 2028.^[6][7][8]

Alleged use of camite

During the protests in late November, protestors, medics and civil society groups in Georgia, described unusual intense and persistent burning of the eyes and skin that was not relieved by rinsing, along with severe respiratory problems, vomiting and other health effects that in some cases lasted for weeks. This raised concerns about the water cannons used by the authorities. According to a survey by pediatrician Dr. Konstantine Chakhunashvili, out of 350 effected people, almost half reported experiencing symptoms for more than 30 days, including heart rhythm abnormalities. His study was peer-reviewed and published in the international journal Toxicology Reports, which linked these effects to the chemical camite.^[6][9]

Civil society organizations in Georgia that demanded to know what substance was added to the water cannon, published the statement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who admitted tear gas chemicals were used in the water cannons, but according to international standards. However, human rights groups said that according to experts, these devices are classified as prohibited or of high risk.^[10]

Investigation

In November 2025 a media investigation based on laboratory analysis, documentation from Georgian authorities and expert interviews, presented its findings. The investigation founds that camite was one of the chemical agents used in the water cannons used against the demonstrators in Tbilisi. Samples taken from protest sites revealed residues with bromobenzyl cyanide.^[11][6]

Reactions

Georgia

Georgian authorities called the BBC's investigation and conclusion "Absurd", saying it acted according to the law in response to "brutal criminals".^[6]

Georgian NGO

GYLA and another NGO recorded many cases where detainees were allegedly badly treated and injured, saying the use of chemicals is part of a bigger pattern of excessive force and no punishment for those responsible.^[12][13]

UN

The UN expert on torture, Alice Edwards, called this method an "experimental weapon" and said that using such substances on people clearly breaks human rights laws.^[6] At the same time another group of UN experts condemned Georgia's methods of abuse against protestors.^[9]

See also

• 2024–2025 Georgian protests
• Bromobenzyl cyanide
• Riot control
• Chemical weapons in World War I