Kiev, Dec 12 (IANS): A district court here in the Ukrainian capital has rejected state prosecutor's request to place former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili under house arrest and released him from custody.

Saakashvili, now a leader of the Ukrainian political party "Movement of New Forces," left the court surrounded by his supporters on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Judge Larysa Tsokol said the court's decision could be appealed by prosecutors within five days.

Saakashvili was detained on December 8 on charges of "aiding members of criminal groups and covering up their criminal activity."

In July, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko revoked Saakashvili's citizenship following allegations that he submitted false information while applying for his Ukrainian passport.

Poroshenko said the charges were not related to Saakashvili's political activities.

On September 10, Saakashvili defiantly crossed into Ukraine from Poland without showing necessary documents to the border guards.

The 49-year-old politician served two terms as Georgia's President from 2004 to 2013. He acquired Ukrainian citizenship in May 2015 and was appointed Governor of Ukraine's southern Odessa region.