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Moldovan Court Sentences Three For Uranium Trafficking


A Moldovan court has sentenced three people for trafficking uranium-235, which can be used to make nuclear weapons.

The three were part of a five-member group arrested in the capital, Chisinau, in June last year, while trying to sell one kilogram of uranium-235 for 32 million euros ($38 million).

Moldovan authorities said that U.S., German, and Ukrainian intelligence services helped with the case.

The Prosecutor-General's Office said a 38-year-old Russian woman was sentenced to three years in jail.

One accomplice got five years and a third accused was fined 15,000 lei ($1,200).

Uranium-235 can be used as fuel or in nuclear weapons, although it was not clear to what degree it was enriched.

The investigation continues into the two others arrested.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

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