Ukraine puts former Georgian president on wanted list

KIEV, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian authorities have put former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on their wanted list, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Office's spokesman Andriy Lysenko said on Wednesday.

In a Facebook statement, Lysenko said that Saakashvili is wanted on charges of "aiding members of criminal groups and covering up their criminal activity."

On Tuesday, Saakashvili was detained by the security officers, but was freed a few hours later by hundreds of supporters who stopped the police van ferrying Saakashvili, during a protracted standoff with the authorities.

After his release, Saakashvili led the crowd on a march toward the parliament, shouting slogans demanding the resignation of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. He is now reportedly hiding in a tent camp near the Ukrainian parliament.

The 49-year-old served two terms as Georgian president from 2004 to 2013. He acquired Ukrainian citizenship in May 2015 and was appointed as the governor of Odessa.

On July 26 this year, Poroshenko revoked Saakashvili's Ukrainian citizenship following allegations that he had submitted false information while applying for a Ukrainian passport.

On Sept. 10, Saakashvili defiantly crossed into Ukraine from Poland without showing necessary documents to the border guards. His supporters broke through the cordon of security forces and escorted him into Ukraine.

The National Police of Ukraine has opened criminal proceedings against Saakashvili and his supporters over the unlawful border crossing.

Saakashvili has said he would challenge the revocation of his Ukrainian citizenship in court.

In September, the Georgian Chief Prosecutor's Office asked Kiev to take measures for Saakashvili's extradition. In Georgia, Saakashvili faces charges of corruption, abuse of power and embezzlement, of which he had claimed previously as "politically motivated." Enditem