Vladimir Arutyunian did not give up his plans concerning US President Bush even under the threat of life imprisonment.
Photo: Irakly Gedenidze
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The Man Who Attempted on Bush Sentenced to Life
Vladimir Arutyunian, who had thrown a grenade at George W. Bush during his speech in the Georgian capital on May 10 last year, was sentenced to life by the Tbilisi City Court on Wednesday. The defendant did not plead guilty and his lawyers promised to appeal the verdict at the country’s Supreme Court.
Vladimir Arutyunian was charged with a number of offences, including the attempt on the life of high-ranking officials, a terrorist act and the murder of a police officer. Employees of the US FBI gave their testimony at the courthouse on Wednesday saying that the Russia-made RGD-5 grenade was operative but it did not explode only due to the criminal’s mistake. Experts said that the blast in the crowded square would have caused grave consequences.
Vladimir Arutyunian used his right to keep silence during the trial but stated at previous hearings that he would have thrown a grenade at George Bush again if he has a chance to. Psychiatrists diagnosed that the defendant sane and able to be held accountable for his acts.
The Georgian state prosecutor Anzor Khvadagiani urged on December 10 to sentence Mr. Arutyunian to life. Lizi Dzaparidze, the counselor for the defense, asked to bring down the term to 15 years in prison. She changed her request on Wednesday when she stated that her client did not plead guilt to any count of the indictment except for the theft of documents and therefore should be sentenced to no more than one year of imprisonment.
Late Wednesday night, the court found Vladimir Arutyunian guilty to all the counts and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Vladimir Novikov, Tbilisi
All the Article in Russian as of Jan. 12, 2006
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