Man arrested in Tbilisi over rape, sexual abuse of wife’s minor grandchildren, police

Georgia’s Interior Ministry on Wednesday said police have arrested a 66-year-old man on suspicion of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing minors.

In an official statement, the ministry said officers from the Tbilisi Police Department’s Main Division for Juvenile Affairs detained the suspect, identified as Z.A., on the basis of a court order.

The investigation established that over a period of time the suspect allegedly raped his wife’s underage grandchildren and carried out other sexual acts against them. The alleged abuse was described as systematic.

If convicted, the suspect faces a sentence of up to 20 years or life imprisonment, the ministry added.