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Three Chinese nationals have been arrested by Georgian officials in Tblisi for reportedly attempting to purchase 2kg of uranium. Lasha Maghradze, Deputy Head of the Georgian State Security Service Georgian State Service announced they had apprehended the three men earlier today (October 25). The suspects are allegedly part of a criminal group based in the Georgian capital. According to Maghradze, the group were planning to illegally purchase radioactive material for $400,000 and illegally transport it to China through Russia . The arrests came after a joint effort by members of Georgia’s Counterintelligence and Special Operations Departments and the State Security Service. The temporary residences of the detained individuals in Tbilisi and Batumi were searched after the Chinese nationals were apprehended. "The investigation is underway under Article 230, Part 1, of the Criminal Code, which provides for imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years," Maghradze said. According to local press outlet Intepress, one of the Chinese men had been introduced to uranium “experts” and had been scouring the country in search of the material for a large amount of time. There have been several serious incidents involving the illicit trade in nuclear materials in Georgia over recent decades. Left-over nuclear materials from the Soviet era is was one of the biggest concerns following the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union. In July this year one Georgian and one Turkish national were arrested by Georgia and charged with the illegal purchase, possession and disposal of radioactive substances, which the national security service said could have been used to make a deadly bomb. Back in the UK, there's a range of estimates on the profits Russia its making from uranium exports. The Royal United Services Institute has highlighted various sources indicating $2.7billion (£2billion) worth of enriched uranium imports from Russia in 2023. An EDF spokesperson commented: "EDF remains in full compliance with all sanctions placed by the EU, UK and French Governments, regarding business with Russia. We have removed Russian input to the nuclear fuel supply chain for all UK plants except Sizewell B, due to long term commitments struck years before Russia invaded Ukraine .” For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .
