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EU devalues Sakharov Prize by awarding it to criminal, says Russian senator

Vladimir Dzhabarov pointed out that the award of the prize was not even worth reacting

MOSCOW, October 21. / TASS /. First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov was ashamed of the Members of the European Parliament’s (MEPs) decision to award the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the Russian blogger Alexei Navalny, who was serving sentence, noting that this had devalued the award.

"I am ashamed of the Members of the European Parliament. They award the prize to a criminal who is serving a sentence for fraud. They have devalued this prize by this decision. Nobody will take this prize seriously anymore," the senator told TASS.

Dzhabarov pointed out that the award of the prize was not even worth reacting. "I have always been very skeptical of the MEPs. I believe that these are people who have lost their political weight and authority in their own national parliaments," the senator stated.

The Russian senator also emphasized that the MEPs did not have any real power and influence. "Making some noise for the press is all they are good for," Dzhabarov said.

Navalny was awarded with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on Wednesday. This Prize was established by the European Parliament in 1988 in honor of Andrei Sakharov, the famous soviet dissident. It is awarded to people, who made "an exceptional contribution to the fight for human rights across the globe." The laureate receives a diploma and a check for 50,000 euros.

Russian envoy vows both mirror, asymmetrical response to provocations by Baltic states

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Russian battlegroup Dnepr destroys two Ukrainian boats on Dnieper — spokesman

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European Commission confirms agreement on expropriation of income from Russian assets

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Putin congratulates parade participants on Victory Day

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