A first-hand experience of Nadiya Savchenko’s court hearing

By Iryna Storozhenko, correspondent, Vikna-Novyny
07.26. 2014
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

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Nadiya Savchenko in Voronezh            (Photo: grani.ru)

We are back home already. I am thinking about Nadiya. I am remembering what she said. So genuine, sincere, categorical [in her answers], decisive, [she] even joked and trolled the court and the investigation. One could perceive that her spirit is unbroken. And that is the most important thing. The Russian judicial system is rotten and deceitful. Some kind of kingdom of crooked mirrors. The judge forgot to include a statement of the circumstances of the detention with the case, the prosecutor said that they will petition to extend Savchenko’s detention under arrest “until the end of October of the years of 2400 … oh, [20]14,” the translator, this was altogether a piss-your-pants misunderstanding throughout all that time because she did not dare to utter Nadiya’s harsh words about the lack of qualifications, lies and violation of rights. And of course a ridiculous statement by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation that the crime had occurred [on the territory] of the LNR [Luhansk People’s Republic] …. 🙂

The first thing she asked when they did not change the preventive measure and left her under arrest, “Will I be able to vote in my country?” The judge seemed to not even get what Nadiya was talking about… I could see how Nadiya was looking for familiar faces on the video screen, and then she admitted that she had really missed the people and that she feels the lack of communication. At that moment, I wanted to hug her somehow, to support her so that she could feel it.

During the break, I approached the camera, waved and sent her kisses. She could not see the whole courtroom. She did not understand that there were no relatives or at least acquaintances of hers there. When I “talked” to her, she realized that nobody of her [people] had come, and I was a stranger to her, maybe that’s why she burst into tears. And tears rushed to my eyes as well. Others who felt this moment of sudden kinship also, then repeatedly asked me if we were related.

However, later the Russian media presented it with the following wording, “There were others who wanted to support the accused of ‘complicity in the murder of’ Russian journalists. A young woman sent kisses to Savchenko. Later, the court police officers turned off the camera and sound, so that this would not happen again during breaks…” In a Life News interview, Nadiya somehow made ​​it clear that she has no idea how much she is written and talked about, while she is captured and imprisoned, and that she doesn’t know to what extent Ukrainians worry about her fate. Therefore, after exchanging a few words, there was not even a question that we had to wave at her with our flag, the one that Anastasia Rozlutska always has with her.

It was very fast, in the crowd, almost running, there were no cameras, no judge. I just happened to be closer… In the back of our mind, we understood that we violated no laws, since the court hearing ended already. And Nadiya responded loudly and shouted, “Glory to Ukraine,” and during the “Glory to the Heroes,” also unexpected, as if an explosion rocked the crowd in response, I felt a strong push. It was a guard. He led me somewhere. Then it turned out that [he was] only [taking me] out the door. Although in my head, it dawned on me that [he was] taking me somewhere else… On the street the servicemen of the migration service, who examined the documents, were standing next to my cameraman that did not go inside. They had nothing to hold us on. We came to the courthouse at the court with the consul and advocates. So, after informing us about the legislation, they quickly released us.

After coming back home, I am beginning to realize what a risk it was. I apologize to everyone whom I may have worried as we crossed the border, and especially those who were responsible for us. But that was a very important [act] then. It was important that she know that we are with her. By the way, one can write to her, they transfer letters to her!

And I did find that photo!! Someone managed to [sneak it]! She is smiling!!

Source: Iryna Storozhenko FB

READ MORE:
Halya Coynash, Russian TV helps prosecution in Nadya Savchenko case

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Das russische Fernsehen hilft der Staatsanwaltschaft im Fall von Nadja Sawtschenko

Nadja Sawtschenko in Woronesch vor Gericht (Foto: grani.ru)

Nadja Sawtschenko in Woronesch vor Gericht (Foto: grani.ru)

Halya Coynash – Charkiwer Menschenrechtsgruppe – 27. Juli 2014

Wenn ein Strafverfahren gegen eine Pilotin, die von Aufständischen in einem Land gefangen genommen und sich dann ernsten strafrechtlichen Vorwürfe in einem anderen ausgesetzt sieht und im Gefängnis eingesperrt ist, drängen sich unausweichlich Fragen auf. Russland kann bis heute nicht glaubwürdig erklären, wie es dazu kam, dass Nadeschda Sawtschenko in russischer Haft gehalten wird und der Beteiligung an den Todesfällen eines russischen Journalisten und Kameramanns angeklagt wurde. Satt dessen benutzt Russland zweifelhafte Taktiken, um sicherzustellen, dass diese Fragen entweder nicht gestellt oder nicht gehört werden. Nicht zum ersten Mal wird dem russischen Fernsehen eine Schlüsselrolle zugewiesen. Continue reading

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U.S. satellite photographed Ukraine being fired on from Russia (photos)

By focus.ua
07.27.2014
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

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U.S. showed where “Grads” fired from.

American journalist, Cami McCormick, of channel CBS News, published satellite images of the territory of the Ukrainian-Russian border on Twitter.

In one photograph shot in the Russian Federation, missile launchers are visible which can be found only in Russian military units.

MLRS "Grad" / gods-of-war.pp.ua

MLRS “Grad” / gods-of-war.pp.ua

On the other photograph it shows burnt grass and earth. These trails are left after launching rockets from an MLRS [multiple launch rocket system]. In addition, on Ukrainian territory, trail traces of MLRS strikes are visible.

Source: focus.ua

 

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PROJECT POSTCARDS FROM MAIDAN: Yury Khudashov from Ivano-Frankivsk

04.2014 Postcardsfrommaidan.org
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Postcards from Maidan is an art initiative that helps facilitate the psychological rehabilitation and physical recovery of patients. Artists visit the wounded and use drawings as a storytelling mechanism of Maidan. The wounded are later presented with the drawings. This is the story of one Maidan protester. This is story #19.

Yury Khudashov
27 y.o., Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Kosovo Rayon
Bullet wound

Artist Vita Kalmutska talked to Yury at the City Emergency Hospital. As a gift, Vita created the portrait of the protestor on site.

Here is Yury’s story, as narrated by Vita Kalmutska:

“Yury is laconic. He got shot by a sniper. Yury came to Maidan on January 5, by himself, completely alone. I met him on the seventh floor of the Emergency Hospital, it was a weekend evening, the floor was deserted, an incredible number of corridors, wards. I was standing there, dazed and confused. And then came Yura [diminuitive from Yury], apparently he wanted to go to the balcony to smoke. It was very difficult for him to walk. I asked him if he knew in what ward were the guys from Maidan, Yura said he was from there. We went into his room, he was not against my initiative, but showed no enthusiasm about it either. I very keenly felt his pain. Strong [pain], and not just physical body [pain].

On the morning of February 20, Yura and another fellow turned a water cannon over, [they] retreated, the Berkut [riot police] began to retreat and the people went on with the attack. [They] reached the barricades on Instytutska St., saw many snipers, they did not conceal themselves much, and Yura got shot. The guys quickly ran towards him, carried him to the doctors on Maidan, and from there into an ambulance. He was operated on the same day.

Now [volunteers] are collecting money for Yura’s rehabilitation in Italy or Spain, whichever happens. It was March 9, 6 o’clock in the evening, when I came to visit Yura. During my visit, a lot of different people came over to ask how he felt, [some of them] got into a situation where they didn’t know how to support [him], what to help [him] with. I hope Yura will get through this pain in his soul, recover and live for himself and for us. After all, he is young and beautiful, very strong, but now he is utterly lost.

It was difficult to communicate with him, he is very sad. He is an orphan, used to work as a logger. He didn’t look at his portrait. I don’t know why, because of his modesty or indifference. As it turns out, many people come to visit him. While I was there, a fellow countrywoman came over, [quite] a talkative woman, volunteers ran by, [unkown] people just came over, brought the money and thanked him.”

 Source: postcardsfrommaidan.org

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Postcards from Maidan is an art initiative that helps bring support through truthful images of Ukrainian protests in different regions of the country, and also tells the stories of people who suffered during events on Maidan this winter in Kyiv.
The project consists of two elements:
#postcards from maidan
The Postcards Project contains a series of cards based on works of contemporary artists. Artists who participated in protests on Maidan create works reflecting on the events and as a message to fellow citizens. These cards may serve as support and a means to bring the spirit of protest to one’s relatives and friends in any part of Ukraine or the world. They are distributed on Maidan and available to everyone for free download in a format suitable for printing.
#stories from maidan
In The Stories Project, contemporary artists visit hospitals, talk to people [protesters/activists] and work on an artistic embodiment of their stories from Maidan. Activists receive these works as gifts by which to remember the events. This project is documented; the stories may later be used by various media. Through social networks, with the help of journalists, volunteers and the project’s website, organizers of this project help to recover lost contacts and enable protesters to learn about each other.
Postcards from Maidan was founded by Kadygrob_Taylor Platform for Contemporary Art, an independent non-profit.  Source: http://postcardsfrommaidan.org/about
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Health hotel “Sosnovyi Bor” (Pine Forest) receives appliances, building materials and products from volunteers

By Oksana Parhomyuk
07.26.2014
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Following the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the “Council of Public Initiatives” and the National Academy of State Tax Service, the first humanitarian aid [for internally displaced persons, IDP’s] has been delivered to the health hotel “Sosnovyi Bor,” [Pine Forest] located in the village of Vorzel.

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Today, “Prominvestbank” responded to a request for help. Appliances, building materials and food products in the amount of 200,000 UAH [USD $17,169] were delivered.

The bank representative together with the volunteers visited the compact settlement. During the visit, visitors identified the major weaknesses of the health hotel and which facilities must be repaired first.

Volunteers have a lot more work left [to do] at the “Sosnovyi Bor” health hotel, in fact winter is ahead and unfortunately the displaced persons are unlikely to return to Crimea before winter. This is why the Council of Public Initiatives plans to continue to attract volunteers and sponsors to help with the repair, equipping and providing the IDPs and encourages the public not to remain on the sidelines.

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Together we are stronger.

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Source: helpcenter.org.ua

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