The prime minister of Georgia's separatist Abkhazia region survived an assassination attempt by unknown assailants, the <i>Interfax</i> news agency reported Tuesday.
Gunmen opened fire at Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab's car late Monday, <i>Interfax</i> said, citing the Abkhazian Interior Ministry. Ankvab was riding in another car, the news agency said.
Abkhazian television reported that the car was hit by 17 bullets. <i>Interfax</i> had no information on casualties.
Abkhazia has run its own affairs since 1993, cultivating close relations with Russia. No government recognizes it as independent, but many of its residents have Russian citizenship, and Georgian authorities accuse Russia of supporting its separatist leadership.
