A presentation was held at the OSCE regarding a study on the suspected chemical poisoning and its aftermath during the protest rallies in Tbilisi in November and December 2024
Representatives of Georgian non-governmental organizations, together with foreign experts, presented the study at the OSCE; it addresses the suspected chemical poisoning and its consequences during the protest rallies held in Tbilisi in November and December 2024.
Among those presenting the study at the OSCE are Dr. Giorgi Kamkamidze, Baia Pataraia (head of the organization "Sapari"), and Tamar Oniani (head of the "Young Lawyers' Association").
The findings of the presented study are as follows:
According to the study, 34% of respondents exhibited at least one symptom even 12 months after exposure. Among them, 41% reported memory and concentration issues; 37% cited anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and insomnia; 29% mentioned hearing problems; 23% reported headaches; 12% experienced breathing difficulties; and 10% reported vision problems.
Seventy-one percent of respondents stated they had been exposed to two or more agents, while 31% described the combined effects of tear gas, water cannons, and pepper spray. The study found that direct impact from a water cannon was associated with a doubling of the risk of prolonged symptoms. However, only 29% of respondents sought medical attention.
The authors emphasize that the data do not establish a causal link, nor do they assess the legality or proportionality of specific instances of force used. The study also has several limitations, including a self-selected sample, the absence of a control group, limited clinical documentation, and the inability to independently identify the substances used. Furthermore, the study's authors point to the need for additional clinical, toxicological, and forensic medical examinations.
More than half of the respondents stated that they had kept clothing or other items exposed to chemical agents during the protests, while 125 individuals had left these items unwashed.
The authors estimate that an independent chemical analysis could help identify the substances used and substantiate existing data with objective evidence.