Russia PM Putin says doesn't fear enemies

[February 28, 2012]  MOSCOW (AP) -- Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he doesn't fear his enemies, a day after the state television reported security forces had foiled a plot to assassinate him.

Russia's Channel One reported Monday that forces had foiled an alleged Chechen-linked plot to kill Putin with powerful explosives -- a claim likely to boost his support ahead of Sunday's presidential election.

Putin said Tuesday that he knew about the plot, but wasn't intimidated. He was quoted by Russian newswires as saying he had been aware of enemies' intent to target him since he first became president 12 years ago.

Some of Putin's rivals in the vote have dismissed the report as an attempt by his team to rally support.

The Communist Party candidate called the report a "cheap trick."

[Associated Press]

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