Man caught trying to split atoms at home

A Swedish man arrested on charges of unauthorized possession of nuclear material after trying to split atoms in his kitchen says he was only doing it as a hobby.

The man, Richard Handl, has told The Associated Press that he had the radioactive elements radium, americium and uranium in his apartment in southern Sweden when police showed up.

Handl said Wednesday he has always been interested in physics and chemistry and "just wanted to see if it was possible to split atoms at home."

The raid took place in late July, but police have refused to comment. If convicted, Handl could face fines or up to two years in prison.