Now THAT'S how it's done. Sure, he should never have been in that situation, and perhaps he was powerful enough to evade arrest or even fight back... but, to what end? Until everyone feared and hated him? Until everyone else was dead?
No. This is the way to handle the situation. Politically and through the correct channels. He had built up enough of a fan base, enough people cared for him that they were willing to fight (with words and nonviolent actions) for his release.
Yes, he could have died. I won't argue that. But if he had died the count wouldn't have gotten off with just "the same."