Georgian FM denies reports on talks with Kyiv concerning Saakashvili's transfer to Ukraine

TBILISI. Oct 29 (Interfax) – The Georgian Foreign Ministry has not confirmed reports that negotiations are underway between Kyiv and Tbilisi on the possible transfer of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili to Ukraine.

"We declare with full responsibility that we do not confirm the allegation that negotiations on the matter are being held with Ukraine via diplomatic channels," the Georgian Foreign Ministry told journalists on Friday, commenting on a statement by Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada deputy Yulia Klymenko that negotiations on returning Saakashvili to Ukraine were ongoing at the diplomatic level.

No negotiations have been held or are being held regarding Saakashvili’s extradition to Ukraine, it said.

Klymenko, who visited Saakashvili at the Rustavi jail on Friday, said with reference to the Ukrainian ambassador to Georgia that "negotiations are being held at the diplomatic level every day."

She said Ukraine has demanded Saakashvili’s transfer, as he is a Ukrainian citizen.

Saakashvili, former Georgian president and currently a citizen of Ukraine, secretly arrived in Georgia from Ukraine on September 29. He was detained in Tbilisi on October 1 and is currently being held in a Rustavi prison.

Georgia earlier declared Saakashvili wanted as a person convicted in absentia in several criminal cases and treated as a suspect in some others. The Georgian authorities warned repeatedly that he would be detained immediately after he crossed the border. Saakashvili has described his detention as unlawful and the charges brought against him as falsified.

Saakashvili has been on a hunger strike for nearly a month.