3 Chinese citizens arrested for attempting to illegally buy uranium

Published: Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 11:38 am

Chinese Citizens Arrested in Georgia for Uranium Purchase

Tbilisi, Georgia – Authorities in Georgia have apprehended three Chinese citizens for attempting to illegally purchase uranium. The country's State Security Service announced the arrests on Saturday, revealing the suspects were caught in the act of trying to acquire the nuclear material.

According to the security service, the individuals were seeking to purchase 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of uranium. Their plan involved transporting the radioactive material to China, with Russia serving as a transit point. The agency released video footage of the detention operation, further illustrating the incident.

The suspects intended to pay $400,000 (344,000 euros) for the uranium. Investigations revealed that a Chinese citizen already residing in Georgia, and in violation of Georgian visa regulations, was instrumental in the operation. This individual allegedly brought in experts to search for uranium within the country. Other members of the criminal group coordinated the operation from China.

The arrests occurred during negotiations regarding the illegal transaction. The State Security Service did not disclose the exact date of the arrests or the identities of the suspects.

This incident echoes a similar case from January, where Takeshi Ebisawa of Japan pleaded guilty to charges related to the trafficking of uranium and plutonium from Myanmar. Ebisawa, the alleged leader of a Japan-based crime syndicate, believed the material would be used by Iran for nuclear weapons.

BNN's Perspective:

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in preventing the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. While the motivations behind this specific attempt remain unclear, the incident underscores the need for international cooperation and vigilance in monitoring and disrupting such activities. The involvement of individuals from multiple countries further complicates the situation, emphasizing the global nature of this threat.

Keywords: Chinese citizens, uranium, Georgia, Tbilisi, arrest, illegal purchase, nuclear material, Russia, China, trafficking, State Security Service, crime, international cooperation, nuclear weapons, radioactive material

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