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Ukrainian pilot: 'I was kidnapped by separatists and taken to Russia' Ukrainian pilot: 'I was kidnapped by separatists and taken to Russia'
(about 1 hour later)
A Ukrainian pilot on trial in Russia for the murder of two Russian journalists has told a provincial court that she was kidnapped by separatist fighters and smuggled across the border to Russia. A Ukrainian pilot on trial in Russia for the murder of two Russian journalists has told a provincial court she was kidnapped by separatist fighters and smuggled across the border.
“I am a prisoner of war and a hostage who has been abducted,” Nadia Savchenko told the court in Rostov region, near the Ukrainian border, where her controversial trial is taking place. “I am a prisoner of war and a hostage who has been abducted,” Nadiya Savchenko told the court in Rostov region, near the Ukrainian border, where her controversial trial is taking place.
Savchenko, a 34-year-old military pilot, had taken leave from the army to fight for Ukrainian volunteer battalions against pro-Russia separatists in the east of the country. Savchenko, a 34-year-old military pilot, had taken leave from the army to fight for volunteer battalions against pro-Russia separatists in east of Ukraine.
Prosecutors claim Savchenko directed an artillery strike that resulted in the deaths of two Russian television journalists in June 2014, before crossing into Russia disguised as a refugee.Prosecutors claim Savchenko directed an artillery strike that resulted in the deaths of two Russian television journalists in June 2014, before crossing into Russia disguised as a refugee.
Savchenko told the court on Tuesday she had nothing to do with the artillery strike and had no expertise in directing fire. She also claims she was detained by separatists before the strike even took place, kept in custody, and then told she would be sold to Russia.Savchenko told the court on Tuesday she had nothing to do with the artillery strike and had no expertise in directing fire. She also claims she was detained by separatists before the strike even took place, kept in custody, and then told she would be sold to Russia.
In Ukraine, she has become a hero and been elected a member of parliament, while western governments have repeatedly called for her release. She has spent more than a year in Russian custody, during which time she has gone on an 80-day hunger strike. The case is being heard in the small town of Donetsk, on the border with Ukraine (a different place to the separatist capital inside Ukraine with the same name). In Ukraine, she has become a hero and been elected a member of parliament, while western governments have repeatedly called for her release. She has spent more than a year in Russian custody, during which time she has gone on an 80-day hunger strike. The case is being heard in the small town of Donetsk (a different place to the separatist capital inside Ukraine with the same name).
A number of Ukrainians are in detention or on trial in Russia, though Savchenko is the only one charged with offences directly related to the battlefields in east Ukraine. Last month, the Crimean film director Oleg Sentsov was sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of terrorism his lawyers said were fabricated. Sentsov said he had been tortured while in Russian custody in an attempt to force him to incriminate himself.A number of Ukrainians are in detention or on trial in Russia, though Savchenko is the only one charged with offences directly related to the battlefields in east Ukraine. Last month, the Crimean film director Oleg Sentsov was sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of terrorism his lawyers said were fabricated. Sentsov said he had been tortured while in Russian custody in an attempt to force him to incriminate himself.
Savchenko’s lawyers have also described the case against her as politicised and said there is little chance of a fair hearing. On Tuesday, she asked for testimony to be given using a lie detector, which the court rejected.Savchenko’s lawyers have also described the case against her as politicised and said there is little chance of a fair hearing. On Tuesday, she asked for testimony to be given using a lie detector, which the court rejected.
There has been considerable speculation that Savchenko and Sentsov, among others, could be used as bargaining chips in a potential prisoner swap or ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kiev.There has been considerable speculation that Savchenko and Sentsov, among others, could be used as bargaining chips in a potential prisoner swap or ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kiev.
The most likely candidates for a swap include two Russian soldiers facing trial in Ukraine. Alexander Alexandrov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev admit they were serving Russian soldiers on a reconnaissance mission on Ukrainian territory.The most likely candidates for a swap include two Russian soldiers facing trial in Ukraine. Alexander Alexandrov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev admit they were serving Russian soldiers on a reconnaissance mission on Ukrainian territory.
Russia has repeatedly denied its regular forces have ever been involved in east Ukraine, despite overwhelming evidence that its forces were introduced at key moments. Russia’s defence ministry said the pair had resigned from active duty before travelling to Ukraine. In previous cases, Moscow has said soldiers in east Ukraine were either on holiday or had got lost.Russia has repeatedly denied its regular forces have ever been involved in east Ukraine, despite overwhelming evidence that its forces were introduced at key moments. Russia’s defence ministry said the pair had resigned from active duty before travelling to Ukraine. In previous cases, Moscow has said soldiers in east Ukraine were either on holiday or had got lost.
A court in Kiev ruled that Yerofeyev and Alexandrov should remain in jail for another two months on Tuesday. A date for the trial to begin has not yet been set. During a break in proceedings, Yerofeyev said he had been put under pressure by investigators to provide information. A Ukrainian prisoner of war negotiator has claimed that Moscow has made unofficial requests to swap the Russian soldiers for Ukrainian citizens it is holding, though Ukraine’s president, Petro Poroshenko, has denied this. A court in Kiev ruled on Tuesday that Yerofeyev and Alexandrov should remain in jail for another two months. A trial date has not yet been set. During a break in proceedings, Yerofeyev said he had been put under pressure by investigators to provide information. A Ukrainian prisoner of war negotiator has claimed that Moscow has made unofficial requests to swap the Russian soldiers for Ukrainian citizens it is holding, though Ukraine’s president, Petro Poroshenko, has denied this.
Hearings in Savchenko’s case continue on Wednesday.Hearings in Savchenko’s case continue on Wednesday.