Putin 'assassination bid' exposed
Russian secret service reportedly uncovers plot to assassinate Vladimir Putin during visit to Iran
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Sunday, 14, Oct 2007 08:18
A plot to assassinate Russian president Vladimir Putin during a visit to Iran has been uncovered by secret service agents, sources in Moscow have said.
The Interfax news agency, Russia's largest and with many state ties, reported that Iranian suicide bombers and kidnappers had been trained to either kill or seize the Kremlin chief.
He is due to visit Tehran on Tuesday during a summit of Caspian Sea nations.
The Kremlin refused to comment on the Interfax report but revealed that the president had been informed.
Mr Putin is set to become the first Russian leader since Joseph Stalin to visit Iran when he arrives in its capital next week.
If the trip goes ahead as planned he will doubtlessly discuss nuclear issues with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Russia and China have consistently adopted a dovish stance towards Iran's uranium enrichment programme – which it insists is entirely peaceful – compared to their UN security council allies the US, France and Britain.