Accessibility links

Breaking News

Ukrainian Pilot Savchenko's Trial May Start Late July, Lawyer Says


The trial of Ukrainian pilot and parliament member Nadia Savchenko, who has been jailed in Russia since July 2014, may start within weeks, her lawyer said.

Ilya Novikov said on July 2 that Savchenko and her defense team had certified that she had finished reviewing the criminal case material and the preliminary hearing may be held in late July or early August.

Savchenko says she was illegally brought into Russia after being abducted by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

She is charged with complicity in the killing of two Russian journalists who died in the Ukraine conflict, as well as illegal border crossing.

Savchenko denies the charges and says Russia has no right to detain her.

The West has repeatedly called for her immediate release.

A Moscow court on June 10 extended Savchenko's pretrial detention until September 10.

Based on reporting by Interfax and TASS

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG