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Eight Men Face Criminal Prosecution in Tajikistan for Attempted Sale of Plutonium-Beryllium Source
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| Abstract Number: |
20070050 |
| Headline: |
Eight Men Face Criminal Prosecution in Tajikistan for Attempted Sale of
Plutonium-Beryllium Source |
| Date: |
11
September 2007 |
| Bibliography:
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| Author: |
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| Orig. Src.:
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"Review of Incidents Involving Radioactive
Materials in the NIS," International Export Control Observer, Issue
11, June/July 2007 |
| Case:
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| Material:
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Radioactive Isotopes |
Abstract:
On 8 May 2007, the Russian Regnum news agency reported
that eight men face criminal prosecution in Tajikistan for
attempting to sell three containers filled with a plutonium-beryllium
source and one container holding cesium-137.
According to Sobijon Isobayev, representing the Prosecutor
General’s Office, all perpetrators were detained in late 2006
while attempting to sell radioactive materials to two men—
nationals of Kazakhstan and an unidentified Arab country—
for US$400,000. The two suspected buyers are now on the
wanted list.[1]
According to Isobayev, two of the suspects have previously
served in the Ministries of Defense and Internal Affairs of
Tajikistan, and one of them has an earlier conviction for a
similar crime (an attempt to sell plutonium). According to the
Tajik Agency for Nuclear and Radioactive Safety, neither the
plutonium-beryllium source nor cesium-137 is produced in
Tajikistan, although they are used in several scientific research
institutes. In accordance with Article 193 of the Criminal
Code of Tajikistan, if found guilty, the suspects will serve
three to five years in prison.[1]
Editor’s Note: A similar incident took place on 15 March
2004, when Tajikistan’s law enforcement authorities seized a
capsule with a radioactive substance from a 50-year-old
resident of Ferghana, Uzbekistan and two of his accomplices.
The capsule was allegedly a Russian made plutonium-beryllium
neutron radiation source, which contained a mix of
plutonium isotopes.[2]
On 14 May, 2007, Tajik Dushanbe Avesta news agency reported that the IAEA has
asked for an official explanation of the incident from the Tajik Agency for
Nuclear and Radioactive Safety. [3] Ulmas Mirsaidov, director of the agency,
stated that he could not disclose any information regarding the origin of the
radioactive materials. [3] He noted that plutonium, beryllium and cesium are
used in research institutes and in large industrial enterprises, including the
Tajik Aluminum Plant and the Vakhsh nitric fertilizer plant, among others,
however, none of the substances are produced in Tajikistan. [3]
Sources:
[1] “V Tadzhikistane predotvrashchena popytka
kontrabandy plutoniya” (An attempt of plutonium smuggling prevented in
Tajikistan), Regnum News Agency, 8 May 2007, http://www.regnum.ru.[2] “Nuclear Smuggler Arrested in Tajikistan,” NIS Export Control
Observer, April 2004, p.6, http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/nisexcon/index.htm. [3]
Excerpt from Avesta news agency, 14 May 2007 in "IAEA Inquires About Radioactive
Agent Selling Incident in Tajikistan," Open Source Center, https://www.opensource.gov/.
{Entered 09/11/07 SG, GM, AL}
The
Center for Nonproliferation Studies has not verified the accuracy or veracity
of this report or the facts presented therein. For more information
on the material in this database please contact Dr. Scott Parrish at sparrish@miis.edu.
 This material is produced independently for NTI
by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the
Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has
not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers,
employees, agents. Copyright © 2003 by MIIS.
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