The US State Department is closely monitoring the situation that has developed in Kiev around Mikhail Saakashvili. This was stated by the official representative of the US State Department, Heather Nauert, whose words are quoted on the State Department website .

"We would like to call on the Ukrainian authorities to de-escalate the situation," she said. Nauert also called on all parties to the conflict to avoid violence, respect the rule of law and international obligations.

"We call on Ukraine to respect the rule of law," Nauert added, explaining that if the country's authorities detain someone, they must do so in accordance with the law.

On Tuesday, the home of the leader of the Ukrainian party "Movement of New Forces" Mikheil Saakashvili was searched. After that, the Security Service of Ukraine tried to detain the politician. He was put on a special services bus, but Saakashvili's supporters did not let the car through and released the politician.

The SBU stated that Saakashvili is suspected of assisting members of criminal organizations. Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko stated that the politician has 24 hours to voluntarily appear before the investigator.

How Saakashvili's supporters wrested him from the Ukrainian secret services 1 / 10

Supporters of former Odessa region governor Mikheil Saakashvili managed to pull him out of a security forces car, Ukrainian media reported / Reuters

The State Department called on the Ukrainian authorities to de-escalate the situation around Saakashvili