Authorities in Georgia have arrested two foreign nationals accused of attempting to purchase uranium, the state security service said, in what officials described as an effort to prevent the illicit trafficking of radioactive material.
According to the State Security Service of Georgia, the suspects were detained during a controlled operation after allegedly seeking to acquire uranium for resale on the black market. Investigators said the material in question was a radioactive substance that could pose significant risks if mishandled or diverted for criminal purposes.
Officials did not immediately disclose the identities or nationalities of the suspects but said the investigation was ongoing and that international partners had been informed. Georgian authorities have previously worked closely with Western security agencies to combat nuclear smuggling, given the country’s geographic position along transit routes between Europe and Asia.
The Caucasus region has long been viewed by nonproliferation experts as vulnerable to trafficking attempts involving nuclear and radiological materials, particularly following the collapse of the Soviet Union, when stockpile security became a major concern. Over the past two decades, Georgia has reported several cases involving attempts to sell enriched uranium or other radioactive substances.
Security analysts say such operations typically involve undercover agents posing as buyers or intermediaries in order to identify and apprehend suspects before any transfer can take place. Authorities stressed that the latest case posed no immediate threat to public safety.
If convicted, the suspects could face lengthy prison sentences under Georgian law for illegal handling and attempted sale of nuclear or radioactive materials. The case underscores ongoing international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and disrupt illicit trafficking networks.
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