Status Brief
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2012
Auyezov, Olzhas. “Moldova says it detains uranium dealers from rebel region.” Chicago Tribune. September 21, 2012 http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-09-21/news/sns-rt-us-moldova-uraniumbre88k0x1-20120921_1_uranium-detains-moldovan
- “Moldovan police have detained seven suspected members of a group that traded firearms and uranium, operating in the separatist Transdniestria region…”
- “…numerous cases involving shipments of hand grenades, TNT blocks, Kalashnkikov assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher charges and containers with radioactive uranium-235…”
- “…sold Kalashnikovs for $2,000 and RPG charges for 200 euros but provided no details about the alleged uranium deals or the origins of the nuclear fuel.”
- “In May, a Moldovan court convicted three people of illegal trafficking of uranium-235, which can be used in making nuclear weapons.”
- “The Chisinau government has long accused Transdniestria of being a “black hole” for smuggling arms, cigarettes and other contraband…”