TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has asked Ukraine to extradite ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili and ex Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili. Both are working for the Kiev government despite being charged with a number of crimes in their home country.

The Prosecutor General’s Office in Georgia said Tuesday that it has asked Ukraine to extradite Adeishvili, who is subject to an Interpol Red Alert, and Saakashvili, who is wanted in Georgia.

The office drew attention to the fact that Ukraine and Georgia have a bilateral agreement from 1995 which obligates each country to consider an extradition request from the other.

“The Ukrainian side has failed to cooperate with the Office of the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia in the matter of the extradition of Mikheil Saakashvili and Zurab Adeishvili to Georgia, and has refused to extradite the abovementioned persons,” the statement reads.

But the Prosecutor’s Office in Ukraine denies this, explaining that they have not rejected the extradition of the two former officials. Georgia’s request is under review, the Ukrainian office said, and a decision will be made as soon as the review of extradition procedures has been completed.

Recently another former official under Saakashvili was appointed to a government position in Ukraine: Davit Sakvarelidze, currently a member of the Georgian parliament, representing the National Movement, which Saakashvili is still leader of, was appointed Deputy Chief Prosecutor, the same position he previously had in his home country.

A few days ago, Saakashvili was appointed head of the Advisory International Council of Reforms, while Zurab Adeishvili and several other former officials from previous government were appointed or either considered for high posts in the new Ukrainian government.

The new government’s decision angered Georgian officials. The Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to explain.