In a significant security operation, Georgian authorities have arrested three Chinese nationals in connection with an alleged attempt to illegally purchase approximately 2 kilograms of uranium. The operation, which took place in the capital city of Tbilisi, was reportedly orchestrated by individuals in China who intended to transport the nuclear material back to their home country via Russia.
Lasha Maghradze, the deputy head of Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG), revealed details of the operation during a press briefing. He stated that the transaction was valued at $400,000 (£300,570) and was intercepted by intelligence agents while one of the suspects was attempting to acquire the radioactive substance on the black market.
The accused individuals have pleaded not guilty to the charges in a Tbilisi court and have been remanded in custody. They are facing a potential prison sentence of up to five years, as stipulated by Georgian law against the unauthorized purchase of nuclear materials. The SSG has released footage showing armed soldiers detaining the suspects and the discovery of two jars containing a yellow substance, identified as uranium, in a car boot.
This incident underscores existing concerns regarding the security of nuclear materials in Georgia, a former Soviet republic that inherited such stockpiles upon the Soviet Union’s collapse. Several cases of illicit uranium sales have been reported in the region over the years. In a separate incident in July, Georgian authorities arrested two individuals for attempting to trade uranium valued at $3 million.