Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been assigned to Alexei Navalny

This year’s Sakharov Prize, the European award on Freedom of Thought, which represents the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work, has been assigned to Alexei Navalny. It celebrates individuals, groups and organisations that highly contribute to the freedom of thought. The prize has the scope to support and assist laureates in empowering and defending their causes.

This award promotes all the fundamental freedoms: the freedom of expression, the rights of minorities and democratic development. For this purpose, during the years, it has been delivered to different categories as dissidents, political leaders, journalists and civil society activists. Great examples are Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai.

This year’s winner, Alexei Navalny, is a lawyer, a Russian opposition-leader of the “Russia of the Future” party. He is also an anti-corruption activist and the founder of the “Anti-Corruption Foundation” (FBK). He emerged on the international scene organising anti-corruption and anti-government demonstrations, openly directed against President Vladimir Putin.

The prize was awarded in Strasburg. Each of the parliament’s political groups can nominate a candidate that needs to be supported at least by 40 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Then the winner is elected by the Conference of Presidents, which includes leaders of all the political groups represented.