PGO to ask Interpol to convict in absentia Russian prosecutors and judges involved in Savchenko case
The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine is drafting a legal brief that outlines suspicions about Russian prosecutors and judges involved in the sentencing of Nadia Savchenko to 22 years in a penal colony. Ukrainian prosecutors say they will ask Interpol for guidance about how to convict the individuals in absentia.
"Today a notice of suspicion has been drafted. We're preparing international instructions…if they are refused, we will appeal to Interpol," PGO prosecutor Vladyslav Kutsenko said in Kyiv on Wednesday.
He added that the procedure of conviction in absentia is being followed.
Kutsenko said each of three judges and each of three prosecutors dealing with Savchenko's case will be given notice.
Russia may then fulfill the mentioned international instructions and will familiarize judges and prosecutors with the suspicions issues by the PGO, or it may refuse to do that.
"After refusal is received, and, unfortunately, we predict refusal, we'll ask Interpol to place the aforementioned persons on a wanted list. Then we will initiate the procedure of conviction in absentia," Kutsenko said.
After the procedure of conviction in absentia is completed, the aforementioned people will continue to serve.
"Under our legislation a person starts serving a prison sentence only after the person is arrested. This could take from 5 or 10 years," he explained.
Kutsenko said he strongly believes that Interpol will put the aforementioned people on a wanted list. He said the PGO will present all the necessary documents and provide the necessary arguments for this.