Two people have been arrested on the southern island of Crete for hosting a social gathering where the old but illegal local tradition of celebratory gunfire in the air was indulged in, police said Monday.
A police statement said 30 casings from different calibres of bullets were recovered from the site of the gathering on Saturday night in the Rethymno area.
The two suspects, aged 29 and 55, were arrested Sunday and face charges of firearms violations, shooting in the air to no purpose and aiding and abetting a criminal.
Searches of their homes led to the discovery and confiscation of a shotgun, a handgun and several rounds of ammunition.
Despite a series of deaths from intentional or accidental shootings, firearms possession is still widespread on Crete with many of the weapons undeclared. Celebratory gunfire remains common at wedding and baptism parties.
