PACE Calls for Immediate Release of Ukrainian Pilot Savchenko

PACE adopted on Wednesday an amendment to the resolution on Russia's credentials in the organization, calling for the release of Ukrainian military pilot Nadezhda Savchenko, suspected accomplice in the killing of two Russian journalists during the earlier stages of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

STRASBOURG, January 28 (Sputnik) — PACE adopted on Wednesday an amendment to the resolution on Russia's credentials in the organization, calling for the release of Ukrainian military pilot Nadezhda Savchenko from pre-trial detention in Russia in the next 24 hours.

Savchenko is currently in pre-trial detention in Russia as a suspected accomplice in the killing of two Russian journalists during the earlier stages of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, Russian delegate to PACE Alexander Romanovich said the release of Nadezhda Savchenko, as demanded by the Assembly, is dangerous and could open the so-called Pandora's box.

On the same day, head of the Russian delegation to PACE Alexei Pushkov told Sputnik that the country’s delegation is ready to ask the investigative bodies of the Russian Federation to provide the PACE representatives the opportunity to meet with Nadezhda Savchenko, check on her health, and talk to her.

According to Pushkov, this way the Assembly will have an opportunity to understand the situation better.

Pushkov stressed, however, that the delegation will go ahead with the move only if the delegation remains in PACE. In spring 2014, PACE suspended the Russian delegation's voting rights in response to the country's reunification with Crimea.