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Russian Journalist Dmitry Muratov Auctions Nobel Medal Fetches Record $103.5m
(CTN News) – Novaya Gazeta’s editor-in-chief sold his Nobel Peace Prize medal for $103.5 million (£84 million).
During the sale, Dmitry Muratov said all the proceeds would go to help the Ukrainian refugees.
In 2021, Dmitry Muratov co-received the Nobel peace prize for defending freedom of expression.
In March, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Novaya Gazeta suspended operations.
Moscow said anyone referring to Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a “war” would face heavy fines or closures. According to the Kremlin, the conflict is a “special military operation“.
Auctioneers Heritage Auctions have not disclosed the winning bidder.
Dmitry Muratov was attacked with red paint laced with acetone aboard a train in Russia in April. Muratov, this is for our boys,” the male attacker shouted.
Novaya Gazeta was founded by him and other journalists after the Soviet Union fell in 1993.
Six journalists, including investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, have been killed in connection with their work since 2000.
Heritage Auctions said the gold medal sale will benefit Unicef’s humanitarian response for displaced children in Ukraine.
Dmitry Muratov said in a video released by Heritage Auctions that “the most important message today is to understand that there’s a war going on and we need to help the most vulnerable.”
Last year, he and journalist Maria Ressa, who co-founded the Philippines’ online news site Rappler, won the Nobel Peace Prize.
In their investigations, Ressa and Dmitry Muratov have angered their countries’ leaders, and have become symbols of the fight for freedom of the press.
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