The trial of a Georgian man accused of trying to assassinate the US and Georgian presidents entered its closing phase today, as the court was expected to convene for closing statements.

The Tbilisi city court in Georgia today opened the trial of Vladimir Arutyunian, who faces life in prison for allegedly trying to assassinate US President George Bush and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in May and for killing a policeman in a shoot-out before his arrest in July.

Georgia’s interior minister said a man who admitted throwing a live grenade toward US President George Bush during a rally in the ex-Soviet nation was acting alone and had no links to any foreign special services.

MAN arrested after a fatal shoot-out with police has admitted to throwing a grenade at a rally in May where US President George W Bush was making a speech.