Ukraine releases arrested Georgian ex-president

KIEV, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Kiev Pechersk District Court on Monday rejected the Ukrainian state prosecutor's request to place former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, now a leader of a Ukrainian political party, under house arrest and released him from custody.

Saakashvili, now a leader of the Ukrainian political party "Movement of New Forces," left the court surrounded by his supporters. Judge Larysa Tsokol said the court's decision could be appealed by prosecutors within five days.

Saakashvili was detained on Dec. 8 on charges of "aiding members of criminal groups and covering up their criminal activity." He was held at a detention facility of the Security Service of Ukraine.

Earlier on Monday, the state prosecutor asked the court to place Saakashvili under house arrest until he goes on trial.

In July this year, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko revoked Saakashvili's citizenship following allegations that he submitted false information while applying for his Ukrainian passport.

Poroshenko said the charges were not related to Saakashvili's political activities.

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 49-year-old politician served two terms as Georgia's president from 2004 to 2013. He acquired Ukrainian citizenship in May 2015 and was appointed governor of Ukraine's southern Odessa region. Enditem