Police arrest 20, seize illegal firearms, ammunition across Georgia

Georgian police have arrested 20 individuals, charged four and identified a further two in capital Tbilisi and other regions of the country on charges of illegal purchase, storage and carrying of firearms and ammunition over a recent period, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said on Tuesday.

The Ministry revealed law enforcement had seized firearms, automatic rifles, hunting rifles, cartridges, pistols, revolvers, magazines, explosive fuses, TNT explosive material and grenades from the individuals.

The body said both residential houses and vehicles related to the alleged offenders were searched in the effort, with five out of the 20 arrested individuals having previous criminal records.

The body said police departments in the capital city, western regions of Imereti and Samegrelo-Zemo-Svaneti were involved in the efforts, while other actions involved law enforcement in the central-eastern Shida Kartli and eastern Kakheti regions.

The crimes are punishable by three to seven years in prison.