During his telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama stressed the need for a release of Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko held in custody in Russia, U.S. Embassy spokesman Will Stevens told journalists.
“U.S. President Obama urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to release detained pilot and MP Nadiya Savchenko in accordance with the Minsk commitment to release all unlawfully detained persons,” the U.S. diplomat said.
Read also: Lawyer about Savchenko’s health: Situation is critical
The trial of Savchenko started In September, 2015. The Ukrainian pilot is accused of murdering Russian journalists and illegal border crossing. In her turn, the woman denies any wrongdoing. According to Savchenko, she was abducted by force and transported to Russia. Savchenko’s lawyers state that at the moment shelling the defendant was in captivity in Russia and, consequently, she was not able to regulate fire.
On March 3, Nadiya Savchenko was to have delivered her last plea in Donetsk City Court, Russia’s Rostov region, but the judge adjourned the hearing until March 9. In her turn, Savchenko went on a hunger strike. On March 10, Nadiya Savchenko decided to stop ‘dry’ hunger-striking. The Ukrainian pilot had been refusing food and drink for seven days.
According to Russia’s court, the final verdict is to be given on March 21-22.
Belsat.eu, following interfax.com.ua
