Labor Party Leader Claims he Survived Assassination Attempt

Leader of the opposition Labor Party Shalva Natelashvili announced on December 29 that the Georgian leadership planned his assassination.

?President Saakashvili, as well as [Defense Minister Irakli] Okruashvili, [Interior Minister Vano] Merabishvili and [Secretary of the National Security Council Gela] Bezhuashvili masterminded this assassination attempt,? Natelashvili told reporters.

Natelashvili said that two armed men ambushed him, but he could survive only due to the help of his party activists.

Natelashvili said that the government is irritated by his recent visit to the United States, where he voiced criticism towards the Georgia?s leadership.