Russian awarded Nobel Peace Prize

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 11 Dec 2021 by Alex Teddy

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On December 10 Dmitry Muratov was awarded the prize in Oslo, Norway. He is the third Russian to be awarded the prize. He is editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta newspaper. The newspaper is fiercely independent and often critical of the government. Several Novaya Gazeta journalists have been killed over the years. Muratov said the award was because of them. He said he wished journalists would die only when they are old. He denounced his government's growing restrictions on freedom of expression and human rights.Muratov was optimistic in his acceptance speech, saying that the repressions would be reversed. He noted that Putin wants a memorial erected to Andrei Sakharov who was a dissident in the Soviet era. Yet the authorities are trying to outlaw an organization called "Memorial" that Sakharov founded. Memorial commemorates all the victims of unjust execution and imprisonment in the Soviet era. Muratov reminded people that videos of torture in Russian prisons have come to light. He lamented the conflict in east Ukraine but did not ascribe culpability.In the oration Muratov denounced the labelling of over 100 people and organizations as ''foreign agents'' in Russia. Those deemed foreign agents have to submit onerous financial statements and mention that they are foreign agents on everything they publish. He said this makes them seem to be ''enemies of the people'' to many. Those branded foreign agents often find it impossible to get work and some emigrate.The assembled company stood in a minute's silence for journalists killed doing their duty.