A sister of Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko has been denied entry into Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebyinis has said.
“Vira Savchenko, Nadia’s sister, has been denied entry into Russia. A groundless decision and another violation of Nadia’s rights. We are helping Vira return home,” he wrote on his Twitter page on Nov. 5 evening.
Later the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that the report on an entry ban for Vira Savchenko until December 31, 2014 was handed on Wednesday when she passed passport control at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport.
“Vira Savchenko arrived in Moscow with a Ukrainian lawyer of her sister to arrange a meeting with her in prison, in accordance with a letter of the Russian Investigative Committee. Ukrainian embassy employees present at the airport provided the necessary assistance to Savchenko in her returning home and got things from her for their further transfer to Nadia Savchenko,” reads a statement posted on the ministry’s website.
Nadia Savchenko’s lawyer remained in Moscow and plans to hold a meeting at the Russian Investigative Committee, as well as visit the pilot in prison.
“We believe that this step by the Russian side is completely groundless and aimed at exerting further pressure on Nadia Savchenko who is illegal held, through gross and demonstrative violations of her procedural rights, and neglect of universal needs,” reads the report.
In the context of this situation, the Ukrainian Embassy in Russia was ordered to send a respective note to the Russian side.
