Managua  - An unknown attacker fired four shots at Nicaragua's Attorney General Hernan Estrada on Monday, but the official escaped with only light injuries, authorities said.

The attack occurred as Estrada was exercising at a gym near his home in the capital. He was injured in the neck.

Local media reported it was the first attack in decades on a high government official.

Estrada blamed the opposition media and the Catholic Church for the attack after a member of the conference of bishops indirectly blamed the Sandinista government of President Daniel Ortega of bringing the country to the brink of civil war. (dpa)