Alexander Tyulyakov, 52, deputy director of state-owned Atomflot that carries out repair work on Russian nuclear-powered ice-breakers based in Murmansk, tried to sell the radioactive substance in August, officials said.

A regional police spokesman told AFP that Tyulyakov was in possession of some 1.1 kilograms (2.4 pounds) of radioactive uranium and radium waste, material that could theoretically be used to build a so-called "dirty bomb."

Tyulyakov was arrested after trying to sell the material to Federal Security Service (FSB, former KGB) agents who were posing as a criminal gang.

The official faces up to 10 years in prison for trafficking radioactive material and illegal weapons possession.

In July 1999, two mechanics from the Russian nuclear fleet were arrested in Saint Petersburg for trying to sell mercury and californium, a radioactive element derived from plutonium, which they had stolen from Murmansk.

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