Thousands rally in Georgia demanding release of Saakashvili

People attend a rally demanding the release of jailed Georgian former President Mikheil Saakashvili in Tbilisi, Georgia October 14, 2021. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze

TBILISI (Reuters) -Thousands of flag-waving supporters of former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, jailed after returning from exile this month, protested in Tbilisi on Thursday to demand his release as his lawyer called on them to help save the country.

The rally attracted the most protesters since pro-Western Saakashvili's arrest on Oct. 1 for abuse of power and concealing evidence when he was president, charges he says are politically motivated.