Georgian State Security Service detains three Chinese citizens over plot to smuggle 2 kilograms of uranium

The Georgian State Security Service’s Counterintelligence and Special Operations Departments on Saturday thwarted an international nuclear smuggling operation, detaining three Chinese nationals for attempting to illegally purchase and transport 2 kilograms of uranium.

Lasha Maghradze, First Deputy Head of the Georgian State Security Service, noted that the suspects planned to acquire the radioactive material for USD 400,000 and smuggle it to China via Russia.

“One of the Chinese citizens, who was in Georgia in violation of the regime, brought experts interested in acquiring uranium to the country and actively began searching for nuclear material across Georgia. This activity was coordinated from China by other members of the criminal group. As a result of operational information received, the perpetrators were identified and detained during negotiations over the details of the illegal transaction”, he said.

Furthermore, Maghradze said that as part of the investigation, the temporary residences of the detained individuals in Tbilisi and Batumi were searched.

“The investigation is being conducted under the first part of Article 230 of the Criminal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years”, he concluded.