YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. It is virtually impossible to steal radioactive materials or radioactive waste for illegal use in Armenia. High level control and supervision is being implemented, Chairman of the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committее of Armenia Ashot Martisoryan said in an interview with ARMENPRESS, speaking on the arrest of three Armenian citizens in Georgia for the attempted illegal sale of radioactive materials.

Recently Georgian online media have reported three Armenian and three Georgian citizens were arrested for the attempt of illegal sale of radioactive materials. The news was immediately followed by the Azerbaijani propaganda’s another anti-Armenian hysteria, as if the Armenian “nuclear terrorism” is a threat not only for Azerbaijan, but the entire world. Azerbaijan continues manipulating this information in an attempt to damage the reputation of the Armenian state.

Our research has showed that Armenian citizens had been arrested for the attempt of illegal sale of nuclear materials in the past also. In particular in 2010 and 2014. Some of the citizens, mainly from the socially vulnerable class, are tempted by offers to make large sums of money and become involved in suspicious deals.

Firstly, citizens are offered deals which at first glance seem innocent, followed by offers to seek “red mercury”, “cesium”, “uranium”, “cobalt” and other nuclear materials. Similar offers are exclusively initiated by foreigners – regional bordering countries and Arab countries.

What is the level of the physical protection of nuclear and radioactive materials in Armenia? What kind of supervision is implemented at the borders? How likely is the trafficking of large quantities of radioactive materials from Armenia? – in order to have detailed information on this subject, ARMENPRESS had an interview with  Chairman of the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committее of Armenia Ashot Martirosyan.  

- Mr. Martirosyan, let us begin with the information of the Georgian media, three Armenian citizens have been arrested for the attempt of illegal sale of nuclear materials. What are your comments?

- Let’s start with the level of physical protection of nuclear waste, nuclear materials and radioactive materials in Armenia. This will show that it is virtually impossible to steal nuclear or radioactive materials, or use them illegally.  Armenia has joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, as well as the Safeguards agreement and the Additional Protocol. With this, Armenia has assumed obligation to not produce nuclear weapons, to not assist the production of nuclear weapons and proliferation. Till now, approximately 200 inspections have been carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (Agency), which confirmed that Armenia is completely fulfilling all obligations. Inspectors of the Agency are regularly implementing inspections in Armenia not only in the Nuclear Power Plant, but also other facilities. Reports are made for each inspection. Inspections of all facilities have shown 0 deviations. It is not only about the physical protection of nuclear materials, the balance, quantity, location, but also about technologies. Meaning –Armenia is fulfilling its obligations under all articles. This means that it is impossible for criminals to get their hands on nuclear materials. Moreover, the registration of nuclear materials in carried out by a thousandth of gram of accuracy. Control and supervision of the abovementioned materials in carried out on several levels – both local and international.

- And what kind of supervision is carried out at the borders?

- Very sensitive state-of-the-art dosimeters are stationed at the borders, which detect even the slightest excess of radiation.  This means that the illegal export or import of nuclear materials from/to Armenia is impossible. Even people exposed to radiation cannot cross the border without being detected. In recent years,  a significant number of Armenian citizens travel to Georgia for medical reasons. During the treatment, patients undergo radioisotope diagnostics with the use of radioactive materials. Upon return, the dosimeters detect excess radiation in these people. Last year, the Customs Service has registered and reported more than 100 similar cases.  Radiation control at the borders is carried out according to international standards.

-You said that it is impossible to steal nuclear materials. That is in those areas, where state control is implemented, what about unregistered radioactive sources?

-That issue is present not only here, but also around the world. A special project in collaboration with the US Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Committee is being implemented for the detection of these materials.

Detection works are carried out mainly in post-Soviet, closed-regime military-industrial facilities, where the presence of nuclear materials is probable. The joint project with the US is implemented quite effectively. Together with the experts from the US, we arranged the decontamination of detected radioactive materials and the safe transportation to nuclear waste storage facilities. This is a continuous project. Another example – The Agency had information that during Soviet years a heavy water factory was operating in Vanadzor, which is used in the production of nuclear weapons. We informed the Agency that the factory was active until the end of the 1970s, and later was moved to Russia and currently there is no such factory. However the Agency wanted to check the information. A joint visit with the inspectors of the Committee was carried out. The Agency was convinced that the factory doesn’t exist. Only the walls and the roof were there. They saw, photographed, made relevant measurements, and were convinced. After this they came to inspect another three times (probably to be convinced that Armenia isn’t continuing the production of heavy water on its own). Don’t be surprised, the control and supervision is strict, this year they will come for inspections again. Therefore,  I exclude serious quantity of radioactive materials being located in Armenia and us being unaware.

-Let’s once again return to the publication of the Georgian media, which stated the value of the nuclear materials – around 200 million USD. How valuable are the mentioned nuclear materials and how real is the transportation of nuclear materials worth 200 million USD?

-In this case it was about “Uranium 238”. One kg of uranium 238 is worth 80 thousand USD in the international market. For 200 million, they would have to have 2 thousand tons of uranium 238. Let me say that large quantities of uranium in Armenia are present in the Nuclear Power Plant, which is used nuclear fuel, it has huge, deadly activity.  Not only is the sale impossible, but also illegally approaching or getting near. It is located under the physical protection system of the Nuclear Power Plant, in addition the Agency has set 24/7 video surveillance systems on all facilities, where nuclear materials are stored. Those facilities are sealed with special seals, and even damaging the seals will immediately be registered by the Agency’s division.

-Anyhow, three Armenian citizens were arrested. Maybe they are being involved in suspicious deals because of lack of information or social issues. What is your advice to citizens?

-It is very important to notify citizens, so they know the international experience:  All illegal attempts regarding nuclear materials end in law enforcement agencies. Maybe people aren’t aware, maybe they don’t realize what kind of fraud they are getting involved into. Let me say that nuclear materials are under serious control and supervision in all countries.

-In addition to issues with law enforcement agencies, health issues are also important. By dealing with this kind of materials they will face serious health issues.

Of course, nuclear and radioactive materials have penetrating properties. The person dealing with such materials gets a certain dose. People should know, that ionizing radiation has no smell, taste or color. If they accidently get their hands on radioactive materials, they will seriously damage their health, and it can even lead to death. 

-What measures should be taken to refrain from such incidents?

We suggest citizens to refrain from illegal deals. If they receive similar propositions, it is necessary to inform law enforcement agencies. In addition, working with the society is very important – using television and other measures of mass media to raise awareness.  And in case of discovering an “abandoned” radioactive material, which will have the radioactive sign, call 911 immediately.

Interview by Anna Gziryan