U.S. Indicts Grenade Suspect for Attempting to Assassinate Bush

A U.S. federal grand jury indicted Vladimir Arutunian on charges of trying to assassinate U.S. President George W. Bush and on possessing, using and carrying a firearm during a violent crime, Reuters reported on September 7.

Vladimer Arutunian, a Georgian citizen, is suspected of tossing a hand-grenade during U.S. President Bush?s public speech in Tbilisi on May 10. Arutunian already faces terrorism and murder charges in Georgia for the May 10 incident in Tbilisi and for killing a security official in a fatal clash before his arrest in July.

If convicted of the U.S. charges, Arutunian will face possible life imprisonment, according to Reuters.

Reuters also quotes a Justice Department official as saying that the U.S. government would wait until Arutunian is tried in Georgia before deciding whether to seek his extradition to face trial in the United States.

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