Five arrested in Georgia over illegal possession of firearms and ammunition

Police in Georgia have arrested five people at different times on charges of illegally acquiring, possessing and carrying firearms and ammunition, the Interior Ministry has said on Thursday.

The arrests were carried out by officers from the police departments of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Imereti, Shida Kartli, and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.

Searches of the suspects, their vehicles and homes resulted in the seizure of various firearms and ammunition, including two automatic rifles, five pistols, magazines and dozens of rounds of ammunition, the MIA press office said. 

The offences carries a prison sentence of up to 12 years.