Former President Mikheil Saakashvili was preparing a coup after the local elections. This was announced by the chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, Sputnik Georgia reported.

"He [i.e., Saakashvili] came to Georgia to carry out his threats on the matter of a coup, and to organize unrest in the country. Accordingly, the law enforcement agencies have taken all measures to prevent new crimes," Kobakhidze added.

Saakashvili was detained last night in the capital Tbilisi. The former president of Georgia is charged with a number of criminal cases, two of which he was convicted of in absentia, and the other cases are pending.