TBILISI, Georgia — Authorities in Georgia have arrested three Chinese citizens in the capital, Tbilisi, after they attempted to illegally buy 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of uranium, the Georgian State Security Service (SSG) confirmed Saturday. The suspects allegedly planned to transport the nuclear material to China via Russia.

Details of the Arrest

The State Security Service released video footage showing the detention operation. According to the agency, the perpetrators intended to pay $400,000 (approximately €344,000) for the radioactive material.

Investigators said that one Chinese national, already residing in Georgia in violation of visa regulations, recruited experts to search for uranium across the country. Other members of the criminal network coordinated the operation from China. Authorities apprehended the suspects while they were negotiating the details of the illegal transaction.

The identities of the detained individuals have not been released, and officials did not specify the exact timing of the arrests.

International Context

This case follows similar uranium smuggling incidents worldwide. In January, Takeshi Ebisawa of Japan pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic uranium and plutonium from Myanmar, allegedly with the belief that Iran would use the materials to develop nuclear weapons.

Georgian authorities emphasized that preventing illegal trafficking of nuclear material remains a top security priority, highlighting the global threat posed by unregulated access to radioactive substances.