Russia

Grief and consolation after Savchenko-judgment

In an internationally criticized process, a court in Russia has sentenced the Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko to 22 years in prison. Despite the judgment, the hope of their release is growing now in Kiev.

“What a shame”, said a visibly sad, Petro Poroshenko, in a nearly three-minute video message on Tuesday afternoon. “A shame for the court,” it was. The Ukrainian President responded to the ruling, which was read to a court in the southern Russian small town of Donetsk against the Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko for two days. The 34-year-old Ukrainian woman was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder of two Russian journalists during the war in Eastern Ukraine. Savchenko should have coordinated in June 2014 from a hiding place in the fire of the Ukrainian armed forces, in the case of the Russians died. She herself denies these allegations. Even in the West, the process is criticized as unfair and Sawtschenkos immediate release required.

Poroshenko spoke on “the absurdity and brutality”, the return of the Russian justice to Stalin-times witness. Russia as “Aggressor state” have condemned a Ukrainian officer who had defended their country. Ukraine will not recognise neither the court, nor the judgment of the President.

The support of party colleagues

Vadim Ivchenko was in court as the verdict against Savchenko was spoken. The members of Parliament of the Fatherland party of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, travelled together with colleagues to Russia. Savchenko, who is his party colleague, because she was elected in the fall of 2014 in the absence of for the Fatherland party in Parliament. “It’s a pity that this shameful court was carried out until the end,” said Ivchenko of the DW. The harsh sentence was no Surprise. “It’s the end,” said the Ukrainian politician. “Russia will never respect more human rights and international law”. The court rejected the defense’s arguments and, instead, the point of view of the Pro-Russian separatists recognized, outraged Ivchenko.

He was able to speak during sentencing, and briefly Savchenko, says the members of Parliament. “You have no idea how tired I am,” she told him. “She was tired, and to prove constantly their innocence,” says Ivchenko. Now he and his colleagues hope that a new stage begins in this internationally-criticized process.

Cartoon by Sergey Elkin, for judgment against the Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko

Ukraine wants to exchange Savchenko

Sawtschenkos first name Nadiya means “hope” and this hope is likely to be after the verdict, the greater. “The most Important thing is that this court is a farce to end,” said the DW of the Kiev political expert Volodymyr Fesenko. “For the Ukrainian side, it is very important to the company right after that concrete steps for the release of Savchenko”. The Chance is there, although it could be in dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin “never safe”.

Kiev hopes to Sawtschenkos release or exchange in the framework of the Minsk peace agreements by February 2015. Putin had promised to hand over Savchenko after the sentencing of Ukraine, said Poroshenko. “The time has come to deliver on this promise”, the Ukrainian head of state. Poroshenko also said how it could happen. He was ready to hand over to Moscow two Russian servicemen who were taken in 2015 in the Eastern Ukraine and the separatists fought to have. Both are on trial in Kiev.

Speculation on political future

In Ukraine, meanwhile, speculated about a possible role Sawtschenkos in the policy. Her Fatherland party in the recent polls, and could be in the event of early parliamentary elections, the second strongest force.

However, experts such as Fesenko warn against too high expectations. Their finest hour was the process in which you, with your courage many had excited, – says the analyst. “Savchenko has become a moral Symbol, people respect you,” says the analyst. However, your Name will already need now abused for political purposes. Savchenko should actually return soon in the Ukraine, must First learn “to not to get lost in the swamp of the Ukrainian policy,” says Fesenko.