MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The court hearing the case of Ukrainian national Nadezhda Savchenko, accused of killing two Russian journalists in eastern Ukraine, was prepared to allow Ukrainian doctors to visit her in jail, but Savchenko’s behavior in the courtroom made the presiding judge change his mind, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.
“We reviewed the request and directed it to the court that is handling her case because she is currently in the court’s custody and the judge expressed his willingness to allow doctors to visit after the hearing on March 9, but during the actual hearing, Nadezhda Savchenko only had the main goal of insulting the judge…that judge decided that he couldn't give any concessions to Nadezhda Savchenko, again I repeat, because of her open insults to the judge," Lavrov said in an interview with Russia's REN-TV television station.
Russian prosecutors are seeking a 23-year prison sentence for the Ukrainian national, while her defense team argues that she is innocent. Savchenko has pleaded not guilty and is on a hunger strike. A court ruling in the case is due on March 21-22.
On Wednesday, Lavrov said that Savchenko’s health was not under threat, despite what Western and Ukrainian media reported, and was under constant supervision of Russian doctors.
