Georgia arrests 6 on suspicion of trying to sell uranium

TBILISI, Georgia – The nation of Georgia’s security service has announced the arrest of six people suspected of illegally acquiring uranium-238 and trying to sell the radioactive substance for $200 million.

Investigator Savle Motiashvili says Monday the uranium was seized at the Tbilisi apartment of one of the group. Three of the suspects are Georgian citizens and three from Armenia.

The investigator says the uranium-238 was in a factory-produced container, but gave no details about the amount, how it was acquired, or if there was a buyer.

A Georgian official tells the Associated Press the uranium was depleted and not highly radioactive. The official requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the investigation.

If convicted, the suspects face up to 10 years in prison.

Georgia is a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia and is a former Soviet republic.