Because of the war, a Russian journalist offers the Nobel medal for sale

Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper, announced Monday that he will offer the Nobel Peace Prize medal, which he received last year, to auction for children displaced by the war in Ukraine.

Muratov won the award in 2021, along with Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, who were honored by the Nobel Committee for their "efforts to protect freedom of expression."

The newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" suspended its activity last March after Russia passed legislation imposing severe prison sentences on 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 to criticize Putin and his policies at home and abroad.

The auction of the Muratov medal, which takes place both in person and online, is being held by Heritage Auction, and the auction is scheduled to close and complete the sale Monday evening in Manhattan.

As of Monday morning, the medal had been auctioned for $550,000.

The proceeds will go to UNICEF's humanitarian response mission to Ukrainian children displaced by the war. 

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, six journalists and collaborators of Novaya Gazeta have been murdered in crimes related to their work, among them the investigative journalist, Anna Politkovskaya, whom Muratov presented with the Nobel Prize upon receiving.

Last year, Muratov told AFP that "this newspaper is putting people's lives at risk," adding: "We are not leaving anywhere."

In a video released by Heritage Auction, the prominent Russian journalist said winning the award "gives you a chance to have your voice heard."

"The most important message today is for people to understand that there is a war going on right now and we have to help the most vulnerable," he said, referring in particular to children in refugee families.

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