Saakashvili called on the ICC to investigate the use of World War I poisons by the Georgian police

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told Reuters that he had appealed to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to investigate reports that the Georgian authorities used toxic substances to disperse opposition demonstrations.

He noted that the investigation would take years, but the very fact of starting an investigation would have serious consequences. The imprisoned politician writes: he is aware that going to the ICC will entail new reprisals against him, but considers himself obligated to take this step in accordance with international law.

According to a BBC investigation, Georgian police may have used poisonous substances from the First World War to disperse opposition demonstrations. We are talking about kamit, used by the French against the Germans and withdrawn from circulation in the 30s of the last century due to long-term consequences.

As the TV channel established, water cannons were used to spray the substance. It is reported that journalists, doctors and human rights activists demanded that the authorities provide them with information, including to provide assistance to the victims, but the Ministry of Internal Affairs refused to do this.

On December 1, the State Security Service of Georgia announced the beginning of an investigation in connection with the BBC publication. The ruling Georgian Dream party accused the corporation of libel, threatening it with international lawsuits.