The Riigikogu expresses deep concern over the fate of Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Member Nadiya Savchenko, who was captured in Ukraine and is being illegally detained in Russia, and calls for her release.

Nadiya Savchenko is a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. She was captured against her will in the territory of Ukraine by members of the so-called Donbass People’s Militia on 17 June 2014. In July 2014, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation announced that Savchenko “crossed the Russian border on her own accord.”

It is obvious that by imprisoning and illegally detaining a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Russia has violated and is violating international law, including the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 1949 and the Minsk Protocol of 5 September 2014, point 5 of which requests “immediate release of all hostages and illegally detained persons.”

The Russian Federation continues the trial against Savchenko on fabricated charges, which has essentially become political vengeance.

On 4 March 2016, Savchenko started a hunger strike, refusing both food and water, to protest against the illegal trial and demand her return to Ukraine.

The Riigikogu calls on the Russian Federation to immediately release Nadiya Savchenko and hand her over to Ukraine.

The Riigikogu calls for officials of the Russian Federation who are responsible for the capture, detention and illegal trial of Nadiya Savchenko to be banned from entering the European Union.

Eiki Nestor
President of the Riigikogu

Tallinn, 2016
Submitted by Members of the Riigikogu on 9 March 2016.