Police detained 9 individuals, including foreign citizens, in a series of raids in Tbilisi and several regions of the country targeting illegal firearms. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the mentioned crime is punishable by a prison sentence of up to seven years.

“Officers from the Didube-Chughureti Main Division of the Tbilisi Police Department apprehended I.N., born in 1988, who has a prior conviction. Following a judge’s ruling, law enforcement officials seized a pistol, a magazine, and 12 rounds of ammunition during a search of the suspect’s residence.

Investigators from the Lagodekhi, Kvareli, Dedoplistskaro, and Sagarejo District Divisions detained 4 individuals: D.B. (born in 1989), who has a prior conviction; Z.M. (1979); D.Sh. (1974); and E.V. (1973). During searches conducted, the authorities recovered 3 pistols, 1 automatic firearm, 1 sawed-off hunting rifle, 4 magazines, 77 rounds of ammunition, 1 hand grenade.

Officers from the Adjara Police Department seized a pistol, 41 rounds of ammunition, and a magazine during a search of the personal and temporary residence of foreign national A.O., born in 1976.

The same department arrested O.E., born in 1972, who has multiple prior convictions, and confiscated a firearm, 15 rounds of ammunition, and a magazine during a personal search.

Officers of the Marneuli District Division of the Kvemo Kartli Police Department recovered a firearm, 10 rounds of ammunition, and a magazine during a search of the temporary residence of foreign national D.H., born in 2001.

Officers from the Detective Division of the Shida Kartli Police Department detained G.A., born in 1984. Police confiscated a pistol, a magazine, and 15 rounds of ammunition as evidence during a personal search of the suspect.

An investigation into the illegal acquisition, storage, and carrying of firearms and ammunition is currently underway under Article 236, Parts 3 and 4 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.