Georgia’s State Security Service has arrested a Georgian citizen suspected of illegally handling nuclear material.

The operation was carried out by the State Security Service’s Counterintelligence Department and Special Operations Department, according to the State Security Service.

According to investigators, the suspect planned to sell nuclear material in his possession - uranium-238 - to a foreign national for $700,000.

A criminal case has been opened under Article 230 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which covers the illegal handling of nuclear and radioactive materials.

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