Nation within the South Caucasus has witnessed a number of critical incidents involving the illicit commerce in nuclear supplies lately.
Revealed On 25 Oct 2025
Three Chinese language residents have been arrested in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, whereas allegedly attempting to purchase 2kg (4.4lb) of uranium, the State Safety Service says.
The suspects deliberate to move the nuclear materials to China by way of Russia, the safety service mentioned on Saturday in a press release, whereas additionally releasing video footage of the detention operation.
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Authorities accused a Chinese language citizen already in Georgia who was in breach of visa laws of bringing specialists to Georgia to seek for uranium all through the nation.
Different members of the legal group coordinated the operation from China, authorities mentioned. The perpetrators had been recognized and detained whereas “negotiating the main points of the unlawful transaction”, the State Safety Service mentioned.
The company didn’t specify when the arrests occurred or present the identities of the suspects.
Members of the group deliberate to pay $400,000 for the radioactive materials, authorities mentioned. They face prices that might see them imprisoned for as much as 10 years.
A number of critical incidents involving the illicit commerce in nuclear supplies have occurred in Georgia over current years. In July, Georgia arrested one Georgian and one Turkish nationwide and charged them with the unlawful buy, possession and disposal of radioactive substances, which the State Safety Service mentioned may have been used to make a bomb.
The safety of nuclear supplies left over from the Soviet period was one of many largest considerations after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, of which Georgia was a member. After Soviet analysis establishments shut down, the nation grew to become a wealthy choosing floor for smugglers.
In 2019, Georgia mentioned it had detained two folks for dealing with and attempting to promote $2.8m of uranium-238.
In 2016, authorities arrested 121 folks, together with Georgians and Armenians, in two sting operations in the identical month and accused them of attempting to promote about $203m of uranium-238 and uranium-235.
