Teimuraz Kobidze, a leading Georgian toxicologist, responds to the recent report of BBC [suggesting that law enforcers used chemical weapons during the dispersal of protests last year]. As he said, no requests or consultations were made to the professional toxicology community.

"We officially declare that neither last year nor this year has anyone approached the Association of Toxicologists - neither NGOs, nor any initiators, nor foreign colleagues regarding the ongoing events.

Due to the well-known events, various media outlets have been circulating information from doctors of different specialties, non-toxicologists, providing requests and incompetent advice to participants in the protests and the public. In reality, this is like pouring gasoline on a fire - it creates additional stress and anxiety among the people.

I would remind some of our colleagues of the following: first, there is certification for medical specialties in the country. Second, a doctor who is not certified in the field is not competent. Third, before making media comments, giving interviews, or making demands, one should at least have a basic understanding of the field`s fundamentals and have treated at least one patient in that specialty. Fourth, politicizing medicine is a crime", - explained the toxicologist.