The Day asked Member of the European Parliament Rebecca HARMS about what the West is doing to free Nadia Savchenko and other Ukrainian prisoners illegally held by Russia.
“Since Nadia decided to go on a hunger strike, people have been more aware of the emergency of this situation. As there is a risk of Nadia suffering from this hunger strike, I support the idea that this case should be as much in the highlight of the international press as possible. Savchenko is so much at risk. I would like her to stop the hunger strike because I can see that she cannot impress the Russian authorities by doing so. Besides, they have already announced that they would take stern measures to force-feed her and not to let her die.
“The European Parliament has shown a new initiative this week. Every day each of us will be sending a letter to the Russian authorities about the Savchenko case. My colleagues began this the day before yesterday, and will write today, on Thursday.
“The very fact that Nadia Savchenko is a member of the Verkhovna Rada and the Council of Europe should become one more reason why the Russian government must release her. I expected her to be freed a month earlier, as part of the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. Yet I hope that the increased international pressure will boost her chances to be freed.”
