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A Fourth Attack on the Abkhazian PM
Grenades were fired at prime minister of the unrecognized republic of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab on Monday morning near the village of Lykhny as he was traveling from Gudauta to Sukhumi. His armored car withstood the grenade attack, but Ankvab was wounded in the back by fragments. He and his driver were taken to a hospital, then Ankvab was quickly released, but his driver remains hospitalized with a concussion.
This is the third attack on Ankvab on the same road. The Abkhazian Interior Ministry has declared a 500,000-ruble reward for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the attacks, who are thought to be local. There are a variety of suggested motives for the attack. Ankvab is a strong opponent of organized crime and has fought against the illegal trade in lumber, metals and fish in Abkhazia.
Georgian MP Konstantin Gabashvili has suggested that the Russian special services are trying to get rid of Akvab. The Kremlin supported Raul Khadzhimba for prime minister of the breakaway republic. Ankvab has suggested inventorying real estate in Abkhazia and reexamining all illegal real estate transactions that have been conducted. It is well known that Russia has been involved in many of those transactions.
Furthermore, the attack took place shortly before the scheduled signing of an agreement between Abkhazia and the City of Moscow on construction investment in Abkhazian resorts. Ankvab will oversee the spending of that money.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of July 10, 2007
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