Putin Assassination Foiled? Critics Suspicious

Russian state TV reports a failed Putin assassination attempt weeks after the alleged arrests, but skeptics note the timing.

(Image source: Bloomberg )    BY STACEY WELSH ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY   Russian authorities say they foiled a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, but critics aren’t buying it.  RT reports three suspects had been planning to launch a suicide-bomb attack after Russia’s March 4 presidential elections. “They studied the root of Putin’s monarchy, the amount of bodyguards there and were hiding from the authorities by switching flats.” The Associated Press reports one member of the group was killed in an accidental explosion in the Ukrainian city, Odessa. A second member was reportedly arrested at the scene of the blast and led authorities to their remaining liaison. But The Montreal Gazette reports ... “...doubts have already surfaced... It is not the first time that an alleged plot on Putin's life has been uncovered shortly before an election.” Russian and Ukrainian forces arrested the men more than three weeks ago, and the plot was based thousands of miles away from Moscow. ABC attempts to explain this , reporting the men learned to make bombs in Odessa and eventually sought to kill Putin. “Russian television said the men in custody had been ordered to carry out the alleged attack by Umarov, an infamous Chechen warlord still fighting against Russian rule.” Forbes speculates the failed plot may continue to backfire, only strengthening Putin’s regime. “Discussion has already turned to the political significance of this plot, and it is fully possible that it augurs for a ‘tightening of the screws’ and that Putin will once again use the threat of terrorism as an excuse to tighten political control.” But Russia’s RIA Novosti notes , some analysts are mixed, quoting one who says, this was a PR stunt, alright. Just not for Putin. “It looks like it is the Security Services that are attempting to show how well they are performing their duties… ahead of the mass reshuffles that will definitely be carried out after the presidential elections...” Media outlets report there have been 10 reported assassination attempts of Putin since he took power in 2000.