"This means that Swedish PEN should of course be able to give out this prize to whoever they like, without any pressure on them. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TTGui Minhai left China in 1988 to study for a doctorate at Gothenburg University, later becoming a Swedish citizen. Sweden's foreign minister Ann Linde has earlier pushed back at China over its criticism of Swedish PEN's decision to award Gui the prize. "Sweden's principle of freedom of expression guarantees Swedish PEN the right to freely and without influence award the prize to whomsoever they wish." The Tucholsky award is given by Swedish PEN to a writer or publisher who faces persecution or has been forced into exile.

Source: The Local November 15, 2019 08:29 UTC