TBILISI, DFWatch — A former Georgian interior ministry official was Monday given 40 days preliminary detention in Ukraine by a court in Kiev.

Ukraine is considering Oleg Melnikov’s extradition to Georgia during his detention, online media in Ukraine report.

Melnikov has a background from the Constitutional Security Department, the Georgian domestic intelligence service.

He was announced wanted by Interpol and detained December 7 in Kiev.

Together with other officials, Soso Topueidze, Geronti Alania and Data Akhalaia, who used to chair the same department, he is charged with abuse of powers and illegal deprivation of freedom.

All four of them have been sentenced to preliminary detention until the trial starts December 4 in Tbilisi City Court. None of the accused are currently in Georgia. The location of the remaining three is unknown.

The first court hearing is scheduled for January 16, 2013.