Kremlin denies attempt on Putin's life

The concert was held to celebrate Putin's protégée Dmitry Medvedev's victory

A Russian newspaper reported yesterday that security forces foiled an attempt by a sniper to kill President Vladimir Putin near the Kremlin earlier this this month. Itar-Tass news agency cited a security source denying the report.

The Kremlin declined to comment on the report by popular Moscow tabloid Tvoi Den, which is known for its strong sources in law enforcement circles. Tvoi Den quoted an unnamed source as saying a sniper was arrested shortly before Putin walked through the gates of the Kremlin on election night, March 2, to appear at a concert held next to the Red Square.

The concert was held to celebrate Putin's protégée Dmitry Medvedev's victory in a presidential election and although the two men walked through the gates together, the newspaper said Putin was the only target of the plot.

Itar-Tass quoted a source at Russia's security services as denying that people detained early this month for possession of automatic weapons had intended to kill Putin. "The information that these people planned any actions against the country's leadership is absolutely wrong," the source said.

Medvedev is due to be inaugurated on May 7 and has pledged to follow the policies of his political mentor Putin, who will serve as a prime minister under Medvedev. - Reuters