Manama: A former security officer has been sentenced in Bahrain to ten years in jail for possessing weapons and ammunition illegally.

Seven other defendants, who were employed as the officer’s bodyguards, were sentenced to three years. Each of the eight defendants was fined BD500 (Dh4869.48).

All the weapons were seized by the authorities.

The case came to light in November last year following an investigation into the illegal import of weapons by the former officer.

A raid at the house allowed the authorities to find and confiscate the weapons.

The bodyguards who were paid up to BD700 a month said they were not aware the weapons were unlicensed.