US State Department on Saakashvili's case

The US Department of State is "concerned” by criminal charges filed against Georgia’s former president Mikheil Saakashvili.

A statement was released that voiced US concerns regarding the charges against Saakashvili, which said the US would monitor this and related cases closely.

"Commitment to the rule of law means that everyone must comply with the law in a democratic society and that the legal system should not be used as a tool of political retribution,” read Tuesday's statement.

The US Department said it would "continued to stress to Georgian officials the importance of rigorous adherence to due process and the rule of law."

On Monday Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office charged Saakashvili for the unlawful seizure of Imedi TV and other assets owned at the time by Patarkatsishvili, who died in February 2008, as well as exceeding official authorities that stemmed from the breakup of the November 7, 2007 anti-government protests.

The Chief Prosecutor's Office brought charges against Saakashvili in absentia before the defence counsel.