Bush 'assassination' trial enters closing phase

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.

Vladimir Arutyunian faces life in prison for allegedly trying to kill US President George Bush and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili at a huge rally in May and for killing a policeman in a shootout before his arrest.

Arutyunian, whose Tbilisi trial began last month, has acknowledged that he threw a grenade in the direction of the stage where Bush and Saakashvili were standing behind a bullet-proof barrier.

He said he would try to kill Bush again if he had the chance.

The grenade Arutyunian is accused of throwing landed about 100 feet from the stage. It did not explode, and no one was hurt.