Ukraine turns down Georgia's request for former president's extradition
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Ukraine has rejected Georgia's request for the extradition of its former president, Mikhail Saakashvili, who is facing a criminal probe at home.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's office said in Wednesday's statement that Saakashvili could face political persecution in Georgia if he is extradited.
Saakashvili, who was president in 2004-2013, left Georgia in the face of abuse of power accusations leveled by his political foes. Saakashvili's United National Movement has been in opposition since losing the 2012 parliamentary election to a party founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who made his fortune in Russia.
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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has appointed Saakashvili the head of his advisory council.
Saakashvili has dismissed the accusations against him as a political vendetta by Ivanishvili, accusing him of serving Moscow's interests.