Gunmen assassinated one of Georgia's most prominent democratic politicians Saturday. His wife, a member of parliament, was badly wounded in the attack.
Georgy Chanturia, 36, and his wife, Irinia Sarishvili, 34, were shot outside their home in the Georgian capital as they were leaving for National Democratic Party headquarters, witnesses said. Their driver and a bodyguard were wounded.The attackers - at least five gunmen in two cars - sped away before police arrived, witnesses said.
Police said Chanturia, the party's leader, died at the scene. Sarishvili was in serious condition with gunshot wounds to the stomach.
"They fought for democracy in Georgia. This terrorist act was aimed at democracy," Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze said after visiting Sarishvili in the hospital.
Their party is one of Georgia's largest and Chanturia was seen as a potential presidential candidate. Sarishivili was deputy prime minister until resigning last year to protest Shevardnadze's rapprochement with Russia.
Shevardnadze, a former Soviet foreign minister, turned to Russia for help during an uprising led by ousted President Zviad Gamsakhurdia. He got the help, but only after agreeing to bring Georgia into the Russian-dominated Commonwealth of Independent States.