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Japan provides first portion of funds earmarked to help Belarus combat nuclear smuggling

Belarus’ State Border Committee (SBC) has received the first portion of $360,000 out of about $1 million (90 million Japanese yen) to be provided by the Japanese government in the framework of a joint project aimed at modernizing Belarus’ system of preventing the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive materials, SBC spokesman Alyaksandr Tsishchanka told BelaPAN.

The project, which was launched in a signing ceremony in Minsk on July 2, is expected to increase the capabilities of the Republic of Belarus to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to attempts to smuggle nuclear or radioactive materials.

In particular, the first portion of the funds is to be spent for purchasing vehicles for mobile laboratories and nuclear radiation detection equipment.

Around 100 vehicles emitting excessive levels of radiation are detected at the Belarusian border every year, according to the SBC. Three years ago, Belarusian border guards reportedly prevented an attempt to smuggle uranium fuel capsules from nuclear power plants in the post-Soviet region into Germany.