01 March 2005, 23:59
Abkhaz PM survives assassination attempt
An attempt on the life of Aleksandr Ankvab, prime minister of the breakaway republic of Abkhazia, was carried out in the evening of 28 February while on his way from Sukhum to Gudauta. The prime minister did not suffer. The moment his car was fired, he was in the car of Deputy Prime Minister Leonid Lakerbaya going next, a source said. Seventeen bullet holes in the car prove the fire was well-aimed.
Georgia condemns the assassination attempt on Ankvab, as Georgii Khaindrava, Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution, told Novosti news agency. The minister believes the incident gives evidence the situation in Abkhazia is far from normal as yet.
President Sergey Bagapsh of Abkhazia and the prime minister himself believe the attempt was masterminded by some criminal groups having an influence on the Abkhaz economy. The prime minister also reminded that both Sergey Bagapsh and him had heard numerous threats during the recent presidential campaign in Abkhazia.
