Russia: Nemtsov, Savchenko nominated for Sakharov prize
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 10 September 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Nemtsov, Savchenko nominated for Sakharov prize, 10 September 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/561d043b8.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 10, 2015
By RFE/RL
BRUSSELS – Russia's slain opposition politician Boris Nemtsov and imprisoned Ukrainian military pilot and parliament member Nadiya Savchenko are among the nominees for the 2015 Sakharov Prize.
The 50,000-euro prize, established by the European Parliament in 1988, is awarded every year to individuals or groups of people who have dedicated their lives to the defense of human rights and freedom of thought.
Nemtsov, a former Russian deputy prime minister of Russia, was murdered in February 2015. He was a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin.
Savchenko was captured in 2014 by Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine and handed over to Russia, where she is being tried on charges of participating in the murder of Russian journalists.
The nominees also include three whistleblowers – Edward Snowden, Antoine Deltour, and Stephanie Gibaud – Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, Somalian activist Edna Adan Ismail, and Mesa da la Unidad Democracia, which provides legal services for political prisoners and opposition groups in Venezuela.
The winner will be decided in October.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
