Unknown gunmen opened fire on the convoy of Abkhaz de facto Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab late on February 28, Russian news agencies reported on March 1. No casualties have been reported.

The local Abkhaz television reported that in the moment of the attack Prime Minister Ankvab survived because he was riding in the car of Vice-Premier Leonid Lakerbaia and not in his own.

Reports also say, citing Abkhaz Interior Ministry officials, that the PM’s car was hit by 17 bullets.

Alexander Ankvab, an influential political figure, was appointed as the Prime Minister of the unrecognized republic on February 14. He is a close ally of Abkhaz President Sergey Bagapsh and the leader of the influential political party Aitaira.