Georgian jailed for Bush attack

[WUOrevolt]

Georgian jailed for Bush attack

Vladimir Arutyunian paced his cage as the verdict was read out
A Georgian man has been sentenced to life in prison for throwing a grenade at a rally attended by US President George W Bush in Tbilisi last May.
Vladimir Arutyunian was found guilty on charges including terrorism, treason, attempted assassination and the killing of a police officer, the judge said.

The grenade landed 30m (100ft) from Mr Bush and the Georgian leader, who were standing behind bullet-proof glass.

It failed to go off because of a malfunction, said US officials.

The security scare marred Mr Bush's visit last May, which was aimed at showing support for President Mikhail Saakashvili's government, correspondents say.

I don't consider myself a terrorist, I'm just a human being

Vladimir Arutyunian

The presiding judge at the trial took four hours to read out the verdict, the BBC's Natalia Antelava reports from Tbilisi.

For the entire time, 27-year-old Arutyunian - guarded by five armed soldiers in masks - paced back and forth in a two-metre metal cage.

He stopped only when Judge David Dzhugeli said Arutyunian "was found guilty on eight charges from the criminal code and four of them demand the highest form of punishment".

'US puppet'

One of those charges related to the killing of a Georgian security officer during the operation to arrest Arutyunian in July.

The unemployed, single man was detained near the house he lived in with his mother in one of the poorest suburbs of Tbilisi.


Mr Bush was addressing tens of thousands of people at the time

Police said they found an entire arsenal of weapons in his apartment, including hand grenades similar to the one he tossed at the two presidents.

After his arrest, the suspect was shown on television admitting from his hospital bed that he had thrown the grenade.

He also said he hated Georgia's new government for being a puppet of the US and did not regret what he did.

Arutyunian refused to testify in the course of the trial. His lawyer Liza Japaridze said he would appeal, Reuters news agency reports.

As he was led from court, he was asked by one journalist if he considered himself a terrorist or an anti-globalist.

"I don't consider myself a terrorist, I'm just a human being," he replied.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4603802.stm

[Intifada]

He could have used a proper grenade, or two.

In fact, why couldn't he just shoot the bastards?

[Noah]

In fact, why couldn't he just shoot the bastards?

..


who were standing behind bullet-proof glass.

[cormacobear]

which means bush probably would have servived a grenade blast at that range unless he was hit by flyng glass or hit his head. But I at least thank him for trying.

[Intifada]

Originally posted by [email protected] 12 2006, 05:34 PM

In fact, why couldn't he just shoot the bastards?

..


who were standing behind bullet-proof glass.
Fair enough, but if he had an "arsenal of weapons" he could have tried more than one weapon.

[WUOrevolt]

Originally posted by [email protected] 12 2006, 09:02 PM
He could have used a proper grenade, or two.

In fact, why couldn't he just shoot the bastards?
I don't think it would have worked either way. The security would have been way too tight. But I see you point.

[Xvall]

I think more than one person is your best bet for carrying out an assassination. I think that a lot of people think it's stylish to do it on their own.

[Ownthink]

Originally posted by WUOrevolt+Jan 13 2006, 08:46 PM--> (WUOrevolt @ Jan 13 2006, 08:46 PM)
[email protected] 12 2006, 09:02 PM
He could have used a proper grenade, or two.

In fact, why couldn't he just shoot the bastards?
I don't think it would have worked either way. The security would have been way too tight. But I see you point. [/b]
What do you mean "way too tight"? They let a man with a fucking pineapple in, dude. To a Presidential Speaking! More over, the President of the US. I'd imagine he could do some damage from afar, at least. If they failed to do a frisk and find the grenade, they might've failed to frisk and not found a pistol.

I think if he really was determined he would have wasted him.

[flames of the flag]

:P i dont see anyone else trying to assasinate Bush.
At least the guy made an effort. I feel bad for him cause i garauntee the CIA is gonna be commiting crimes against humanity in an effort to get something out of this guy about whatever terrorist affiliations he may have. If hes even a terrorist. Oh wait, i forgot, your either with "Us" or your with "the terrorists". Im really surprised that the didnt recieve the death penalty. I often wonder about how to succesfully gat Dub down. Definately multiple shooters, good knowledge of the area, a good vantage point with a rifle, or if you can get close with a Deagle or a Magnum on you. It has to be possible. But whoevers gonna do it has to be willing to get caught and go down fuckin hard.

[WUOrevolt]

Maybe Georgia doesn't have the death penalty, and thats why he didnt get the death penalty.