Afghan presidential hopeful escapes assassination attempt
- 10 years ago
The front-runner in Afghanistan’s presidential election, Abdullah Abdullah, has escaped an assassination attempt.
Two bombs exploded outside a hotel where he had just staged a rally, killing six people.
One of the bombs destroyed a car in Abdullah’s convoy. One of the dead was a bodyguard.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but the Taliban have vowed to disrupt the vote.
Former opposition leader Abdullah took 45 percent of the vote in the first round and has already been touted as the favourite to win the June 14 poll.
The election has come down to a two-horse race after no single candidate secured an absolute majority in in April’s contest.
By law, the vote must start again from scratch if one of the candidates is killed.
Two bombs exploded outside a hotel where he had just staged a rally, killing six people.
One of the bombs destroyed a car in Abdullah’s convoy. One of the dead was a bodyguard.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but the Taliban have vowed to disrupt the vote.
Former opposition leader Abdullah took 45 percent of the vote in the first round and has already been touted as the favourite to win the June 14 poll.
The election has come down to a two-horse race after no single candidate secured an absolute majority in in April’s contest.
By law, the vote must start again from scratch if one of the candidates is killed.