Sting Operation Uncovers Attempted Nuclear Material Purchase
Three Chinese citizens have been taken into custody in Georgia after being accused of trying to purchase uranium on the black market. The State Security Service announced that the arrests took place in Tbilisi during a covert operation, in which the suspects sought to obtain about two kilograms of radioactive material valued at roughly $400,000. The seized uranium was transported to a secure facility for detailed examination.
Investigators Trace Plan to Route Uranium Through Russia
Authorities allege that the group intended to transport the material from Georgia to China using Russia as a transit corridor. One of the suspects was reportedly staying in Georgia without proper documentation, while the others are believed to have coordinated from abroad. Searches at several properties in Tbilisi and the coastal city of Batumi uncovered physical and digital evidence linking the men to the scheme.
Prosecutors Pursue Charges Under Georgian Law
The detainees have been charged with illegally handling and attempting to traffic radioactive substances, offenses that carry penalties of up to ten years in prison. Georgian officials said the arrests highlight the continuing threat of nuclear smuggling in the region and reaffirmed their commitment to international efforts aimed at stopping the illicit trade of radioactive materials.
