Chinese nationals arrested in Georgia in $400,000 uranium smuggling plot

Georgian authorities say they have foiled a major nuclear material 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 Saturday that three Chinese citizens were arrested in Tbilisi while attempting to illegally purchase approximately 4.4 pounds of uranium for $400,000, according to the media outlet.

Officials said the suspects planned to transport nuclear materials to China via Russia, the outlet reported.

“Three Chinese citizens were arrested in Tbilisi while trying to illegally purchase 2 kilograms of nuclear material, uranium,” the agency said, according to the AP.

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Authorities arrest several Chinese nationals in Georgia over uranium trafficking plot. (Georgia State Security)

Video footage released by the agency shows security officers in the Georgian capital seizing bottles containing what was identified as uranium and arresting several individuals at the scene.

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Two bottles identified as uranium were confiscated this weekend in Tbilisi, Georgia. (Georgia State Security)

According to the SSSG, one of the suspects had overstayed his visa and was living in Georgia illegally, the AP reported. He allegedly led efforts to locate and acquire the radioactive substance, even bringing in foreign experts to help, the outlet added. Other members of the group are believed to have coordinated the operation from China.

The perpetrators were identified and arrested while “negotiating the details of the illegal transaction”, security services reportedly said.

The agency did not say when the arrests took place or provide the identities of the suspects.

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Georgian officials escort suspect after authorities foil uranium smuggling plot in Tbilisi. (Georgia State Security)

The latest arrests follow a similar case in July, when Georgian authorities arrested a foreign national and a Georgian citizen accused of planning to sell uranium worth $3 million. Officials said the materials could have been used to make explosive devices or carry out terrorist attacks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.