Summary
- A Sydney scientist who collects rare elements has been accused of importing plutonium, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
- Emmanuel Lidden ordered the radioactive substance from an American website that supplies collectors, along with another radioactive element, thorium.
- Authorities ordered the package to be intercepted but it was still delivered.
- Lidden could now face a prison sentence, despite the amount of plutonium being of very low risk to humans or the environment.
- The case has drawn parallels with the treatment of the ‘Gatwick Airport drone hoax’ perpetrators, who were eventually cleared of all charges.
- Some are speculating whether there was an ulterior motive behind the heavy-handed response to the incident.
By Jenny List
Original Article