Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of the Russian investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta, sold last year's Nobel Peace Prize, at a public auction in New York City.
The auction house, Heritage Auctions, announced that Russian journalist Muratov had sold his Nobel Peace Prize medal to an unnamed telephone bidder, for $103.5 million, donated by Muratov to children displaced by the war in Ukraine.
It is noteworthy that Muratov was awarded the prize in 2021 jointly with Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, and the Nobel Committee honored them on that day for their "efforts to protect freedom of expression."
Muratov newspaper suspended its activity last March after Russia passed legislation imposing heavy prison sentences against anyone who criticizes the military operation in Ukraine.
Muratov was among a group of journalists who founded Novaya Gazeta in 1993 after the fall of the Soviet Union.
This year, it became the only newspaper critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his policies at home and abroad.
The announcement of the suspension of the newspaper's work in Russia came more than a month after the start of Russia's war on Ukraine.
Murder and assault
And last April, Muratov was attacked on a train when someone threw paint mixed with acetone on him, causing him burns in his eyes.
Since 2000, 6 journalists and collaborators with Novaya Gazeta have been murdered in crimes related to their work, including investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, to whom Muratov presented the Nobel Prize upon receiving.
Last year, Muratov declared that "this newspaper is putting people's lives at risk," adding, "We are not leaving anywhere."
Winning the Nobel Prize "gives you a chance to have your voice heard," the prominent Russian journalist said in a video released by Heritage Auctions.
"The most important message today is for people to understand that there is a war going on now and we have to help the most vulnerable," he said, referring in particular to children in refugee families.