Europe is giving its top human rights prize to Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic

[AZProgressive]

BRUSSELS — Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was awarded the European Union's top human rights prize Wednesday in a clear slap at President Vladimir Putin.

In awarding the Sakharov Prize to Navalny, the European Parliament praised his "immense personal bravery." The 45-year-old activist was poisoned with a nerve agent last year and promptly arrested upon his return to Moscow from treatment in Germany and later imprisoned.

"He has campaigned consistently against the corruption of Vladimir Putin's regime, and through his social media accounts and political campaigns, Navalny has helped expose abuses and mobilize the support of millions of people across Russia. For this, he was poisoned and thrown in jail," parliament President David Sassoli in a statement.

Sassoli called for Navalny's immediate release.

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/20/1047606987/alexei-navalny-vladimir-putin-europe-human-rights-prize

[Lovie777]

1. Ouch . . ..

And good news!

[spanone]

2. K&R

[Quakerfriend]

3. So richly deserved.

I hope that he will survive all that Putin is putting him through 🙏. His bravery is so admirable.

[Joinfortmill]

4. Courageous

[SheltieLover]

5. Excellent! 👏👏👏👏