Saakashvili: Ex-Georgia leader freed from police in Kiev Ukraine

Supporters of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili have freed him from a police van in Ukraine after his detention on suspicion of assisting a criminal organisation.

Mr Saakashvili urged his supporters in the capital, Kiev, to impeach Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Mr Saakashvili, 49, was made a Ukrainian citizen in 2015, which saw him lose his Georgian citizenship.

He has become a fierce opponent of Mr Poroshenko, a former ally.

He has accused the president of failing to root out corruption. Mr Poroshenko has denied such allegations in the past.

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With one hand in handcuffs and surrounded by hundreds of people, Mr Saakashvili urged his supporters to march to the Ukrainian parliament.

"I urge you to start a peaceful protest to remove Poroshenko. You should not be afraid," he said through a loudspeaker.

Ukraine's prosecutor general said Mr Saakhashvili had 24 hours to hand himself over to the authorities. Earlier, before he was freed, masked officers had dragged him from his home.

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Image captionA triumphant Mr Saakashvili greets supporters after being freed

Mr Saakashvili's detention was part of an operation "to disrupt a plan of revenge of pro-Kremlin forces in Ukraine", Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said.

He is suspected of receiving financing from a criminal group linked to former President Viktor Yanukovich, Mr Lutsenko added.

Mr Saakashvili could face up to five years in jail if found guilty.

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Image captionEarlier, National Guard officers and Mr Saakashvili's supporters clashed in Kiev

Mr Saakashvili is now a stateless person, as his Ukrainian citizenship was removed by Mr Poroshenko after a falling out. Mr Saakashvili has accused the president of blocking efforts to stop corruption.

He faces the threat of extradition to Georgia, where he is wanted on corruption charges. He claims the accusations are politically motivated.

He previously served as governor of the Odessa region after being appointed by Mr Poroshenko in 2015.

Before moving to Ukraine, Mr Saakashvili served for almost 10 years as president of Georgia.