Ex-Georgian Leader Saakashvili Reported Kidnapped in Kiev

Mikheil Saakashvili, the former president of Georgia, was abducted in Kiev on February 12, according to a post on his official Facebook page.Saakashvili’s ally and fellow politician David Sakvarelidze said that the alleged kidnapping had taken place at a restaurant near the offices of Saakashvili’s New Forces party.A short video on Saakashvili’s Facebook page, which was broadcast live, shows figures in uniform in a restaurant shouting at a man who lies on the floor.Saakashvili was sentenced in absentia to three years in prison on January 5, on abuse of power charges. His appeal for protection was rejected by a Kiev court earlier this month.Sakvarelidze later posted a video live from Kiev’s Boryspil airport, indicating he feared Saakashvili could be removed from the country.RFE cited Ukraine’s security services as saying they were not involved in the alleged kidnapping. Credit: Mikheil Saakashvili via Storyful