Three Chinese nationals have been arrested in Georgia on suspicion of attempting to illegally purchase 2kg of uranium. The group allegedly planned to buy the material for $400,000 in Tblisi and transport it to China via Russia.
Arrest Details
Georgian authorities arrested three Chinese nationals in connection with an alleged attempt to illegally purchase 2kg of uranium. The arrests took place in Georgia, specifically in the capital, Tblisi.
Alleged Plot and Discovery
Lasha Maghradze, deputy head of Georgia's State Security Service (SSG), stated in a news briefing that the group intended to pay $400,000 (approximately £300,570) for the nuclear material. The alleged plan involved transporting the uranium from Tblisi to China via Russia. Maghradze indicated that intelligence agents uncovered the alleged plot while one of the individuals was reportedly attempting to acquire the radioactive substance on the black market.
Legal Status
The three individuals have pleaded not guilty at a court in Tblisi. They have been placed in custody to prevent them from leaving the country, according to public broadcaster Georgia Today.