Jailed Russian opposition leader Navalny wins top EU prize

By RAF CASERT
Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been awarded the European Union’s top human rights prize, in a clear slap at President Vladimir Putin. In awarding the Sakharov Prize to Navalny, the European Parliament praised his “immense personal bravery.” The 45-year-old activist was poisoned with a nerve agent last year and promptly arrested upon his return to Moscow from treatment in Germany and later imprisoned. Parliament President David Sassoli called for Navalny’s immediate release. He said Navalny has helped expose abuses and mobilized millions of people across Russia. The 50,000-euro ($58,200) prize will be presented at the Dec. 15 session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.