Ethnically-Armenian Bush attacker pledges to escape

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 19 2005

Baku, August 18, AssA-Irada — Ethnically-Armenian individual accused
of an assassination attempt on US President George Bush and murder
of a police officer has said he will try to escape from the hospital
where he is kept, Georgian media quoted the country’s interior ministry
as saying.

While in hospital, Vladimir Arutyunian has repeatedly attempted to
hurt himself. A special video camera has been installed at Arutunian’s
cell to oversee his actions.

Arutyunian was detained in Tbilisi, Georgia on July 21. The 27-year
old individual faces several charges, including an attempt to commit
a terror act, murder, illegal possession and use of weapons.

Arutyunian admitted that on May 10, immediately after his arrest,
he threw a hand grenade to the rostrum where President Bush and his
Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili stood. He added that he would
‘continue attempts’ on Bush’s life ‘if he had a chance’.*