Jailed Journalists Win Sakharov Prize – European Parliament
- * sakharov Prize Awarded: The European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to imprisoned Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut and Georgian media founder Mzia Amaghlobeli.
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* sakharov Prize Awarded: The European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to imprisoned Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut and Georgian media founder Mzia Amaghlobeli.
* Andrzej Poczobut (Belarus): he is a Polish-Belarusian journalist imprisoned in Belarus for his reporting on protests against the Lukashenko regime. His health is reportedly deteriorating, and his wife and children are concerned for his well-being.Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya believes he is being punished for speaking the truth.
* Mzia Amaghlobeli (Georgia): She was convicted in Georgia of slapping a police chief during a protest and sentenced to two years in prison. Her conviction is seen by rights groups as a politically motivated attack on press freedom. She founded the investigative news outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
* Meaning of the Award: The award is seen as a symbol of solidarity with those fighting for freedom in Belarus and Georgia, and a message to dictators that journalists cannot be silenced. It is indeed hoped the award will contribute to Poczobut’s release and support the 30 other imprisoned Belarusian journalists.