The Moscow Khoroshevsky District Court has taken four defendants into custody in a case involving the smuggling and illegal export of cesium-137, a radioactive substance associated with nuclear materials. This update comes from the court’s press service and was reported by DEA Newsreferring to official channels.
The court’s press service identified the detainees as Abdulaev, Sakhalov, Shamilov, and Takhmazov, who are held in custody until 21 August as the investigation proceeds. Officials noted that a separate petition to arrest a fifth suspect or to impose a less restrictive preventive measure had not yet been received from the investigator at the time of the report. The lack of a filing for the fifth suspect leaves the status of that individual unresolved as investigators continue their work. [Source: Court press service / DEA Newsreferring to official communications]
On 23 June, the Federal Security Service (FSB) in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrested five individuals who allegedly attempted to smuggle a kilogram of cesium-137 abroad. Cesium-137 is a radioactive core produced for use in nuclear facilities and, in the wrong hands, could be employed in harmful devices. The agency described the substance as a potential component of a so-called dirty bomb. Prosecutors and investigators stated that the group planned to transfer the substance for about $3.5 million, claiming it would be used to advance Russian interests during a covert operation. [Source: FSB release / Ministry of Internal Affairs briefing]
The authorities charged the detainees with preparations to smuggle radioactive materials and related offenses. All five suspects faced arrest warrants and given admissions of involvement during the initial stages of the case, according to the FSB. The case underscores ongoing concerns about the illicit trafficking of radioactive materials and the international risk posed by such activity. Experts emphasize that even a small amount of cesium-137 can have serious health and safety implications, reinforcing the need for strict border controls and robust investigative work. [Source: FSB report / Ministry of Internal Affairs briefing]