15:42, 23 December 2015

Savchenko's advocate confirms her hunger strike

Ilya Novikov, advocate of Nadezda Savchenko. Photo: Anton Naumlyuk (RFE/RL)

Ilya Novikov, an advocate of Nadezda Savchenko, said that his client, a Ukrainian pilot, is on a hunger strike for the sixth day; he added that Nadezhda is only drinking water.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 17 at a session of the Donetsk City Court Nadezhda Savchenko announced a hunger strike until the end of the trial. She added that after the announcement of her verdict her hunger strike will become dry.

"So far, Savchenko has no health complaints," Ilya Novikov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, adding that advocates are going to visit the defendant before the New Year.

The case of Nadezhda Savchenko is being considered by the above court since September 22. She is accused of involvement in the murder of two staff members of the All-Russian State TV and Radio Company (known as VGTRK) near the Ukrainian city of Lugansk on June 17, 2014, and illegally crossing the Russian state border. Nadezhda rejects her guilt. The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" has put Nadezda Savchenko on list of political prisoners.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.

Author: Konstantin Volgin

Source: CK correspondent