Georgia arrests citizen for illegal handling of uranium-238
The State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) has arrested a Georgian citizen for the alleged illegal handling of nuclear material, specifically uranium-238.
The SSG announced on Wednesday 7 October that the arrest was the culmination of a joint operation by its Counterintelligence Department and Special Operations Department. The investigation established that the suspect was planning to sell the uranium-238 in his possession to a foreign citizen for $700,000 USD.
It is the latest in a series of incidents concerning the smuggling of uranium in Georgia, with reports of arrests being published by the SSG.
In February 2026, they arrested two foreign nationals in Kutaisi for attempting to purchase uranium and caesium-137 for $3 million USD. The agency claimed that the pair intended to transport the materials to another country.
In October 2025, SSG detained three Chinese nationals for attempting to purchase two kilograms of uranium, and accused the three of seeking to transport the material to China via Russia.
In July 2025, the SSG detained two people in Batumi that they accused of attempting to sell an unspecified amount of uranium for $3 million USD. They said one of the detainees was Georgian, while the other was an unspecified foreign national.
