Georgia urges UK to apologize for disputed BBC report

TBILISI - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday called on the United Kingdom to apologize for what he described as a false report broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), adding that Tbilisi plans to appeal to the UK media regulator and, if necessary, to the courts, TV Imedi reported.

Kobakhidze said his government would use "every legal avenue" to ensure accountability, stressing that the broadcaster had attempted to "artificially create a scandal" based on incorrect information.

"The UK should apologize for the false report aired by its public broadcaster," he said.

The prime minister noted that the investigation into the events referenced by the BBC had been completed, and the government was prepared to provide full documentation to any international body.

"We have publicly stated that any international organisation may request details of this investigation, and we will provide full information," he said, adding that the substances used during the crowd-control operations had been explained in detail, and that materials employed corresponded to those used alongside water cannons.

He reiterated that Georgia intends to continue its legal efforts. "We plan to appeal to Ofcom, the British regulatory commission, and then to the courts if needed. We will use every legal means to ensure that the BBC is forced to apologize for the lie it spread," he added.

The dispute follows a BBC investigation published on Dec. 1, in which the broadcaster claimed evidence suggesting Georgian authorities used a World War I-era chemical agent (camite) during a crowd dispersal at anti-government protests last year, an allegation the Georgian government has firmly rejected.