Chinese nationals arrested in Georgia over $400K uranium smuggling plot
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Authorities in the country of Georgia say they have foiled a major nuclear smuggling attempt involving several Chinese nationals accused of trying to buy uranium on the black market, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) announced on Saturday that it had detained three Chinese citizens who tried to illegally purchase approximately 4.4 kilograms of uranium in Tbilisi for $400,000, according to the outlet.
Officials said the suspects planned to transport nuclear material to China via Russia.
“Three Chinese citizens were detained in Tbilisi for trying to illegally purchase 2 kilos of nuclear material (uranium),” the agency said, according to the AP.
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Authorities arrested several Chinese citizens in Georgia over a uranium smuggling scheme. (Georgian State Security Service)
Video footage released by the agency shows that security guards in Georgia’s capital seized bottles determined to be uranium and arrested many people at the scene.
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Two vials determined to contain uranium were seized in Tbilisi, Georgia, over the weekend. (Georgian State Security Service)
According to the SSSG, one of the suspects overstayed his visa and was living in Georgia illegally, the AP said. The news claimed that he led the efforts to find and obtain radioactive material and even brought experts from abroad to help. Other members of the group reportedly coordinated the operation from China.
The perpetrators were identified and detained “while the details of the illegal transaction are being discussed,” the security service reported.
The agency did not say when the arrests took place or identify the suspects.
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Georgian authorities escort a suspect after authorities foiled a uranium smuggling plot in Tbilisi. (Georgian State Security Service)
The latest arrests follow a similar incident in July, when Georgian authorities detained a foreign national and a Georgian citizen, accusing them of planning to sell $3 million worth of uranium. Authorities said the material may have been used in making explosives or in terrorist attacks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
