Georgia: Within the framework of the Geiger Working Group meeting, I am holding a demonstration simulation exercise on combating illicit trafficking in nuclear and radioactive substances at the border checkpoints in Sarpi, Batumi Port and Batumi International Airport, organized by the Interpol National Central Bureau and the General Secretariat of Interpol.
Employees of the Patrol Police and Forensic Departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the Emergency Management Service, as well as the State Security Service, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environment Protection and the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Agency participated in the two-day simulation exercise.
Up to 100 representatives from 10 countries participating in the Geiger Working Group had the opportunity to get familiarized with and observe on the ground the practical measures to combat, detect and prevent the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive substances at border crossing points, expert investigations, Safety and decontamination activities carried out by the Management Service.
The meeting of the Geiger working group was jointly opened by the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Giorgi Butkhuz, and the Chief Manager of Radiation and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention and Project Management – Aaron Mosbi, in Batumi.
The purpose of the event was to share the experience of Georgia, as a country with advanced capabilities in the region, in combating the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive substances at border crossing points, as well as to discuss the possibilities of detecting and responding to nuclear and radioactive substances.