Ukrainian side expresses its strong protest in connection with the consideration on the merits of the criminal case over Ms.Nadiya Savchenko, who on June 17, 2014 was captured by pro-Russian illegal armed groups in Lugansk region, Ukraine and illegally detained from Ukrainian territory to the Russian Federation and ever since remains under arrest.

Ms.Savchenko is a Ukrainian pilot, member of the Ukrainian parliament and of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Violating its obligations as a member state of the Council of Europe, Russia has repeatedly ignored Ms.Savchenko's status as a member of the PACE, who enjoys European parliamentary immunity.

It is outrageous that the prosecution ignores all evidences provided by the protection of her innocence; the prosecution tries to withdraw her advocates from the case and restricts media access to the process.

Ms.Savchenko and her lawyers say mobile phone records prove she was never within eyeshot of the checkpoint where Mr.Voloshin and Mr.Kornelyuk were shelled, and that she had been captured an hour before the attack. In July, her lawyers claimed to have further proof confirming she was already a prisoner of war when they were killed.

Ukrainian side stresses on fabrication of charges brought by the Russian side against Ms.Savchenko, and on the Russia’s flagrant violation of international law.

On September 28, 2015, the Global #FreeSavchenko Day, Ukrainian side urge the international community to call on Russia to release Ms.Savchenko and other illegally detained citizens of Ukraine – political hostages.

We rely on your support and convinced that this step will demonstrate Russia our firm commitment to defend jointly democratic values, especially human rights and the rule of law.