TBILISI, June 25 (RAPSI) - Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili told Israeli journalists that he does not want President Mikheil Saakashvili to be arrested, but that he cannot rule out that possibility of such after the presidential elections in 2013.

"Saakashvili was the man in charge, he took the decisions. I don't want him to be arrested, but nothing can be ruled out. There are prosecutors and courts, and everyone is equal before the law. I do not intend to negotiate with him," Ivanishvili said on Tuesday. 

The Justice Ministry, the Prime Minister, and the Prosecutor General have stated more than once that Saakashvili could be summoned for questioning in a number of cases. 

Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani said at a news briefing in April that the ministry plans to question Saakashvili and other officials in connection with the August 2008 conflict with Russia in South Ossetia.

Earlier, Prosecutor General Archil Kbilashvili said Saakashvili may be questioned about the previous government's takeover of the Imedi TV company.

The Georgian Dream coalition led by Ivanishvili won the October 1, 2012 parliamentary election, forcing the United National Movement, which had ruled Georgia since the Rose Revolution in 2003 and is led by Saakashvili, into the opposition.

Saakashvili has retained his post, but his influence in the country has decreased dramatically.

His presidential term should have ended on January 20, 2013, five years after his inauguration. However, parliament, which was then dominated by the United National Movement, amended the Constitution to schedule the presidential elections for October 2013.