Arrest of ex-Georgian President Mikhail Saakashili In Kiev Results In Massive Street Protests And Supporters Freeing Him From Police Custody

Reuters: Supporters free ex-Georgian leader Saakashvili from Ukrainian police amid chaotic scenes

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian supporters of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili freed him from a police van on Tuesday, after his detention on suspicion of assisting a criminal organisation sparked clashes with police in central Kiev.

Once freed, Saakashvili, standing in a melee of supporters, called defiantly for protests to remove President Petro Poroshenko from office.

Masked officers had earlier dragged Saakashvili from an apartment in the Ukrainian capital. But his supporters prevented the police van from moving off, hemming it in and eventually freeing him by breaking its windows and back door.

Protesters also started building a barricade with tyres, wood and stones - a traditional form of protest in Kiev and reminiscent of scenes from Ukraine’s 2013-14 pro-European ‘Maidan’ uprising.

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WNU Editor: Ukrainian authorities are accusing former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili of working with the Russian government to overthrow the Ukrainian government. Yes .... the same former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili who went to war against Russia a decade ago. IMHO .... these Ukrainian accusations are totally groundless .... but it reflects the political turmoil that is now gripping the country, and the fear that Mikheil Saakashvili may rally many to his anti-corruption campaign (which he is). On a side note .... I could be wrong but I think former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is still wanted in Georgia.

More News On The Arrest of ex-Georgian President Mikhail Saakashili In Kiev Results In Massive Street Protests And Supporters Freeing Him From Police Custody

The Latest: Saakashvili calls Ukraine accusations ‘fake' -- AP
Supporters free ex-Georgian president detained in Ukraine -- AP
Former governor Mikheil Saakashvili 'forces entry' to Ukraine -- BBC
Ex-Georgian president freed after dramatic standoff in Kiev -- The Guardian
Arrest of ex-Georgian President Mikhail Saakashili prompts street violence in Kyiv -- Deutsche Welle
Saakashvili freed by supporters from police van in Kiev, calls to oust President Poroshenko -- RT
The Prosecutor General's Office gives priority to Saakashvili's interrogation, not his deportation or extradition -- Kyiv Post

Is President Mikheil Saakashvili Days Numbered?

Mikheil Saakashvili

Common Enemy Lifts Saakashvili, But His Support Base
Remains Fragile -- International Herald Tribune

POTI, Georgia: President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia has been defeated on the battlefield and battered politically in his confrontation with Russia, and many Georgians have bitterly denounced him. But he can still muster significant support - bolstered in part by a nationalistic hatred of the Russians - and he is proving more resilient than many had expected.

In recent years, Saakashvili has unabashedly challenged Russian hegemony in the region, forging closer ties with the West and seeking membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. There is little doubt that, as civilian casualties and the number of refugees have mounted - and as Russian troops continued to operate on Georgian territory after the cease-fire agreement - many Georgians have begun to doubt the wisdom of those policies.

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More News on Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili

Saakashvili’s grip on power in doubt -- Financial Times
Georgians ask questions of leader after losses -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Saakashvili overplays his hand -- Asia Times
Saakashvili as a propaganda phenomenon -- Opinion Piece From RIA-Novosti (For Russian Opinion)

My Comment: He will probably survive .... they always do. But his international stature has clearly taken a hit. He will receive support and be invited to the capitals of other countries, but other leaders will always be questioning his sense of judgement.

Why did he attack South Ossetia with a barrage of rockets on Day 1. Why did he underestimate the Russian response. What was his strategic thinking. What was his Plan B. In short ..... what was he thinking!!!!!

Yes .... what was he thinking.