On Saturday, October 25th, the National Security Service of Georgia announced that they had arrested three Chinese citizens in the capital city of Tbilisi. These individuals were suspected of attempting to illegally purchase two kilograms of “nuclear material” uranium to transport back to China.
According to Lasha Maghradze, the Deputy Director of the Georgia National Security Service, at a press conference on that day, the three Chinese nationals had planned to purchase radioactive uranium at a high price of $400,000 and intended to transport it back to China through Russia.
Maghradze explained that one of the Chinese individuals had brought an “expert interested in purchasing uranium” to Georgia and had started actively searching for this radioactive material nationwide. This suspect was staying illegally in the country, while the rest of the criminal group members were coordinating the operation within China.
Local media reported that the suspects were arrested after their identities were identified by law enforcement agencies during illegal trade negotiations. The suspects’ apartments in Tbilisi and Batumi have also been searched.
Currently, the investigation is being conducted based on Article 230 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to illegal purchase of radioactive materials, with the offense carrying a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment.
Reports from the Georgian International News Agency stated that the uranium in question was classified as “nuclear material,” however, the motives behind the suspects’ purchase were not detailed.
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Georgia, as one of the former Soviet republics, has faced significant challenges regarding the security of legacy nuclear materials, which has been a major concern for the international community. Over the past few decades, Georgia has experienced several serious incidents involving illegal trafficking of nuclear materials.
In July 2025, Georgia arrested a Georgian citizen and a Turkish citizen who were charged with illegal purchase, possession, and disposal of radioactive materials. The National Security Service indicated that these materials could potentially be used in the production of deadly bombs.