Georgia arrests two for attempting to purchase radioactive materials
The State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) has arrested two foreign nationals in the central city of Kutaisi for attempting to purchase uranium and caesium-137 for $3 million USD. The agency has claimed that the pair intended to transport the materials to another country, reports the Tbilisi-based outlet OC Media.
A statement released by the SSG detailed the operations they had conducted throughout the week leading up to the arrests, which were captured and released on video. A photograph showing what appears to be a vial of uranium and a container, possibly holding caesium-137, was also released.
The two men, whose nationalities have not been disclosed, had been coming to Georgia in recent weeks to purchase the uranium and had been preparing for its transport abroad to an unspecified country, according to the SSG. They said that the materials were "usually used for various criminal activities, including terrorist purposes".
Trafficking of radioactive substances in Georgia
The announcement on 19 February follows two other recent incidents involving the alleged purchase and trafficking of radioactive substance in Georgia.
Three Chinese nationals were detained in October 2025 for attempting to purchase two kilograms of uranium, and were accused of seeking to transport it to China via Russia.
In July 2025, the SSG also detained two people in the western city of Batumi for attempting to sell an unspecified amount of uranium for $3 million USD. On this occasion, one suspect was Georgian while the other was an unspecified foreign national.
