Georgian citizen arrested for bribery, illegal firearm possession

A Georgian citizen has been arrested on charges of bribery and illegal firearm possession following a joint operation by the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Border Police, the body said on Thursday. 

The suspect, identified as Z.M., born in 1988, was detained based on a ruling by a judge. According to a statement from the Ministry, Z.M. is accused of offering a bribe to a Border Police officer in exchange for assistance in transporting cattle across the border without passing through a checkpoint.

During a subsequent search of the suspect’s residence, authorities also discovered and seized a Makarov-type firearm, which the individual was allegedly storing illegally.

The offences are being investigated under Articles 339 and 236 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which relate to bribery and the unlawful purchase and possession of firearms. If convicted, the suspect faces a prison sentence of between four and seven years.