Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Ukraine Opposition Leader 'Kidnapped' in Kyiv

by VOA News

   Ukraine opposition leader [1]Mikheil Saakashvili was kidnapped and
   detained by "unknown people in masks" in Kyiv Monday, according to a
   post on his official Facebook page.

   "Unknown people in masks seized Mikheil Saakashvili and took him away.
   The kidnappers were in three white minivans," the Facebook post read.

   Also posted on his Facebook page was an unconfirmed video from a
   "witness" of his kidnapping, which shows commotion surrounding a number
   of masked men in what appears to be camouflage exiting a restaurant.

   It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the kidnapping,
   but Saakashvili's lawyer warned last week that he may face extradition
   from Ukraine after his appeal for protection was rejected by a Kyiv
   court.

   Kyiv police were not involved in the operation Monday, Reuters
   reported.

   A number of Saakashvili's political allies have said they believe the
   masked men acted on behalf of the government and worry that he will be
   deported.

   Liza Bogutskaya, an ally of Saakashvili, said on Facebook Monday that
   he was being driven to the Kyiv airport by authorities and that his
   supporters would rally to block the airport.

   Saakashvili, 49, became a regional governor in Ukraine in 2015 at the
   invitation of Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. The two men later
   had a falling out, with Saakashvili accusing the president of
   corruption and calling for his removal from office.

   Saakashvili was stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship when he was out
   of the country last year but returned in September, facing what he
   calls politically motivated extradition. He accused Poroshenko of
   attempting to thwart his political campaign against him.

   Saakashvili is also wanted in his native Georgia for alleged abuse of
   power. He was president of Georgia from 2004 until 2013.

References

   1. https://www.facebook.com/SaakashviliMikheil/posts/1847856005244772