Navalny, 45, who was poisoned in August 2020 by what Western nations said was a nerve agent, is serving a 2-1/2-year sentence for parole violations he calls trumped up. "It is vital that we in the European Parliament confirm our relentless support for Navalny and stress that his wellbeing is the responsibility of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Peter van Dalen, a Dutch centre-right EU lawmaker, told an assembly meeting. The 50,000 euro ($59,000) Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded every year. Past laureates include South African president Nelson Mandela, Venezuela's democratic opposition and Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai. Other 2021 nominees include a group of prominent Afghan women, Bolivian politician Jeanine Anez and British-based human rights non-governmental organisation Global Witness.

Source: bd News24 September 27, 2021 15:56 UTC