Czech PM says EU summit should intervene on behalf of Nadiya Savchenko

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has called for the EU summit to seek the release of Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko. Sobotka told members of the upper house, the Senate, that the two-day summit starting Thursday should in its conclusions demand the imprisoned pilot’s release. She is on trial by Russian authorities for allegedly directing artillery fire in the conflict in Ukraine which led to the deaths of two Russian journalists and could face a jail sentence of 23 years. The Senate passed a motion Wednesday calling for her release, saying that her detention was in conflict with the Minsk accords establishing a ceasefire in the conflict.

Author: Chris Johnstone