July 9, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:
“One year ago today, the Kremlin announced the detention of Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko. Since then, she has languished in prison, awaiting trial on trumped-up charges.
“Her pre-trial detention has been extended repeatedly, and she has been subjected to solitary confinement and involuntary psychiatric testing.
“To protest her detention, she has undertaken three hunger strikes, totalling over 100 days. These have compromised her health.
“It is time for the Kremlin to end this intolerable situation.
“On this shameful anniversary, we call on Putin to release Nadiya Savchenko immediately and to free all Ukrainians illegally detained by him or his proxies in eastern Ukraine.”
Julie Di Mambro
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
johanna.quinney@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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