Tbilisi - President Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia yesterday implicitly accused Russia of being behind a failed attempt on his life, as the security forces launched a massive nationwide hunt for the attackers. Police and interior ministry troops threw up checkpoints around Tbilisi yesterday, stopping all vehicles entering the capital, and stepping up border controls.
The Interior Minister, Mr Kakha Targamadze, dressed in military fatigues, told Russia's RTR television the authorities were in full control, adding "we are actively searching" for the 10 to 15 men who took part in the attack. One gunman and two presidential bodyguards were killed in Monday evening's attack.