Ales Byalyatski nominated for Sakharov Prize

Russian punk band Pussy Riot and six other human rights activists and public figures from all over the world are among the nominees.

The information was spread by camarae.biz.

Viasna human rights centre doesn't confirm the information about the nomination of Ales Byalyatski for Andrei Sakharov Prize, Radio Svaboda reports.

“We don't have any information so far. I know that Polish MPs proposed this initiative, but I don't know what the outcome was,” Viasna deputy head Valyantin Stefanovich said.

The winner will be selected from three short-listed candidates on October 9.

An award ceremony to give the Freedom of Thought Prize is shceuled for December 12.

Ales Byalyatski's wife Natallya Pinchuk comments on the news:

“The nomination is definitely a great honour for Ales. It is important regardless whether he will be awarded or not. It is important that people remember and support Ales. It will be important for him to hear and know this. I think every nominee deserves the prize. The very fact of nomination has a great value. It doesn't matter who will be awarded.”

It should be reminded that member of the European Parliament Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (Poland) called to back the nomination of Belarusian human rights activist Ales Byalyatski for Sakharov Prize.

The head of Viasna human rights centre, Ales Byalyatski, was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison in November 2011. He was found guilty of tax frauds. The human rights defender didn't admit his guilt and said he had spent all money from his accounts on human rights activity.

A criminal case against Byalyatski was initiated on the ground of information about his bank accounts disclosed to official Minsk by Lithuania and Poland.