US House of Representatives adopts resolution calling for release of Savchenko

"The resolution is considered by unanimous consent," says the official website of the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress. Ukraine's Ambassador to the US Valeriy Chaly noted that the resolution condemns Russia for unlawful imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko and calls for her immediate release. In addition, the document urges the European allies and the international community "to strongly support efforts to release Nadiya Savchenko and others persons illegally hold in Russian prisons." As we have reported, Savchenko’s trial started in a southern Russian town of Donetsk on Tuesday. She faces 25 years in jail for charges of complicity in the murder of two Russian journalists and illegally crossing the border with Russia. She pleaded not guilty, saying the case was fabricated and, quote, “a piece of rubbish.” She said she was spirited into Russia by the separatists in eastern Ukraine after a day-long battle in June 2014. The international organizations and governments have joined Ukraine in calls for Savhcenko’s release. The 34-year-old has spent over a year in custody in Russia during which she protested her detention by going on hunger strike for more than 80 days. She was also elected in absentia to Ukraine's parliament last year.