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Vladimir ArutiunyanA citizen of Georgia, who became famous for throwing a grenade towards the podium where George Bush and Mikheil Saakashvili were standing on Freedom Square in Tbilisi on May 10, 2005.
Date of Birth: 01.01.1978
Country:  Georgia |
Content:
- Early Life and Political Activities
- The Assassination Attempt
- Arrest and Confiscation
- Confession and Sentencing
- Aftermath and Political Reactions
Early Life and Political Activities
Vladimer Arutyunian was born in the illustrious Republic of Georgia. In 1983, he took up residence in Tbilisi with his mother, as his father had passed away at an early age. After completing his formal education, Vladimer lacked a defined occupation. His mother, Angela, earned a meager living as a market vendor, selling napkins.
In January 2004, Vladimer briefly joined the "Revival" party led by Aslan Abashidze. He traveled to Batumi but swiftly departed from the organization.
The Assassination Attempt
On May 10, 2005, Vladimer's life took an astounding turn. He hurled a grenade towards a podium on Liberty Square in Tbilisi, where President George W. Bush and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili were addressing a crowd. The grenade was primed to explode but miraculously failed to do so.
Arrest and Confiscation
Eyewitness accounts and photographs by a Polish reporter played a vital role in Vladimer's arrest. On July 20, 2005, he was apprehended in a covert operation near his residence in the Vashlisjwari neighborhood of Tbilisi. During the arrest, Vladimer resisted with armed force, resulting in the tragic death of the Head of Counter-intelligence for the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
A subsequent search of Vladimer's basement revealed a cache of poisonous substances and explosives. Medical examinations concluded that he was mentally competent, albeit suffering from delusions of grandeur.
Confession and Sentencing
On July 21, 2005, Vladimer acknowledged responsibility for the assassination attempt and chillingly stated that he would not hesitate to repeat his actions against the American President if given the opportunity. On December 5, 2005, the Georgian Prosecutor General charged him under multiple articles of the Criminal Code, including terrorism, assault against a Georgian political figure, assault against an internationally protected individual, illegal possession and use of firearms and explosives, aggravated murder, and attempted murder.
On January 11, 2006, the Tbilisi City Court found Vladimer guilty on eight counts of the Georgian Criminal Code. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, the maximum penalty under Georgian law.
Aftermath and Political Reactions
The incident sparked a heated debate. Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan publicly rejected any connection between Arutyunian's actions and the official policies of Armenia.
