Georgia: Chinese Nationals Arrested for Uranium Purchase Attempt

Authorities in Georgia have arrested three Chinese nationals accused of attempting to illegally purchase two kilograms of uranium worth $2 million.

The group allegedly planned to pay $400,000 for the nuclear material and transport it to China via Russia. Undercover agents tracked them as they attempted to acquire the substance on the black market.

Video footage shows armed soldiers arresting the suspects and seizing two glass containers with a yellow substance, identified as uranium.

The accused have pleaded not guilty but remain in custody. They face up to five years in prison.

The specific uranium isotope sought and its intended purpose remain unclear. As a former Soviet republic, Georgia possesses stockpiles of nuclear materials dating back to the USSR era, and their security is an ongoing concern.

In July, two Georgians and a Turkish citizen were arrested in a similar case.