Georgian president labels oppositionist Elisashvili’s actions, BBC article as terrorist act

President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili has stated that the actions of opposition figure Aleko Elisashvili and a recent BBC article should be viewed in the same context, calling them a “terrorist act.”

“Aleko Elisashvili’s actions and the BBC article should be considered together—it is a terrorist act,” the president said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“Is there any difference with Lazare Grigoriadis? Remember how Grigoriadis was made a hero after attempting to set a police officer on fire with a Molotov cocktail in front of everyone. These are exactly the kind of people the forces behind the terrorist act against Georgia want,” Kavelashvili said.

Elisashvili was detained on November 29, 2025, for attempting to set fire to the Tbilisi City Court building. According to the prosecution, he broke into the building, used a hammer to smash glass on the facade, and carried firearms and materials intended for committing a terrorist act. Inside the premises, Elisashvili reportedly poured flammable liquid on office items, including documents, and attempted to start a fire.

As for the BBC article the president was referring to, it was on December 1, and claims that Georgian security forces used a World War I-era toxic chemical substance known as "camite" in water cannons to disperse anti-government protests in Tbilisi during late 2024.

The Georgian authorities referred to that story as “absurd,” “false,” and harmful to Georgia’s international reputation. A state security agency launched an investigation into the BBC article. The controversy has reignited debates over police tactics during the 2024 protests, which erupted after the government announced a pause in EU accession talks until 2028.

The BBC's findings, based on interviews with nearly 350 affected protesters, whistleblowers from Georgia's riot police, and medical experts, suggest the use of an obsolete riot-control substance that caused prolonged symptoms like burning sensations, coughing, shortness of breath, and skin irritation—effects inconsistent with standard tear gas.

By Khagan Isayev