Six arrested for selling uranium in Georgia

Three Georgian and three Armenian citizens have been arrested for illegally selling nuclear material hazardous to human health in Tbilisi.

An official from Georgia’s State Security Service said at a special press briefing today that the six people were detained for allegedly selling uranium.

"As a result of joint operative-searching and investigative activities of the Counter-Intelligence and Special Operations Departments of the State Security Service of Georgia, members of a criminal group were detained for illegal handling of nuclear material,” said the spokesperson.

He added the alleged offenders planned to sell an amount of uranium (U238) for $200 million USD when they were detained.

Law enforcers searched the house of one of the accused and discovered a prefabricated container meant to transport the U238.

"Given the gamma ray emission, the identity of the source and radiological expertise report, the seized substance is dangerous for life and health,” said Georgia’s State Security Service.

Tbilisi City Court sentenced all six alleged offenders to preventative detention ahead of their trials.

If proven guilty, the offenders will be sent to prison for between five to 10 years.