Dmitry Medvedev phoned Ankvab today and expressed their support by offering assistance of Russia in the investigation of the sixth attempt on the head of the Abkhazian regime. According to the Kremlin press service, the telephone conversation took place this morning, immediately after the attack on Ankvab in the Gudauta district.

Meanwhile, throughout the occupied Abkhazia a plan "intercept" was announced, police posts reinforced, inspection of vehicles carried out. Sukhumi formed an inter-agency investigative team consisting of investigators and operative workers of the Abkhazian prosecutor general's office, state security service and interior ministry.

A criminal case has been instituted under three articles of the Abkhazian Criminal Code "encroachment on the life of a statesman aimed at termination of his public and political activities, as well as revenge for such activity", "attempted murder of two or more persons in connection with conduction of their work duties committed by generally dangerous methods", " illegal acquisition, storage, transportation, carrying weapons, ammunition and explosive devices by an organized group”.

A seriously wounded bodyguard of the Abkhazian leader Tengiz Pandaria is undergoing an operation in the neurosurgical department of Sukhumi hospital. Nothing is yet known about the state of another wounded bodyguard. During the attack Ankvab’s bodyguard Remzik Tsugba was also killed.

The attack on the motorcade of Ankvab happened today at 8.25am near Gudauta. On the way of the cars a powerful explosive device was set in motion, after which heavy fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade was opened at the cars. As a result of one shell hitting the target one car of the cortege was burned. Ankvab himself was not injured and is in the workplace - his administration says.