Authorities Disrupt Suspected Radioactive Material Deal
Three Chinese nationals have been arrested in Georgia for allegedly trying to acquire uranium on the black market. The State Security Service said the men were detained in Tbilisi during a sting operation as they negotiated the sale of about two kilograms of the radioactive element, estimated to be worth $400,000. The confiscated uranium has since been transferred to a secure facility for examination.
Smuggling Plan Linked to Route Through Russia
Investigators believe the suspects had arranged to move the uranium from Georgia to China, with Russia serving as a transit point. One of the men was reportedly living in Georgia without valid entry documents, while others coordinated parts of the scheme from abroad. Police searched several properties in both Tbilisi and Batumi, uncovering materials and electronic records tied to the attempted sale.
Prosecution and Nuclear Security Concerns
The detainees have been charged under Georgian law for the illegal handling and trafficking of nuclear materials, crimes that can carry sentences of up to a decade in prison. Officials have called the case a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by radioactive smuggling networks and the importance of continued cooperation with international partners to prevent such materials from reaching unauthorized hands.
