"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E"> Digital Desk: Dmitry Muratov,
the Russian editor-in-chief of the independent daily Novaya Gazeta, auctioned
off his Nobel Peace Prize gold medal for $103.5 million on Monday to aid
children displaced by Ukraine's conflict.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">At a Heritage Auctions sale in New York, the medal was sold to
an as-yet-unidentified phone bidder.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">Muratov and Filipino writer Maria Ressa were awarded the medal
in 2021, with the committee praising them "for their efforts to defend
freedom of expression."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">After the Soviet Union fell apart in 1993, he was one of a group
of journalists who created Novaya Gazeta.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">It became the only major daily left this year to criticise
President Vladimir Putin and his actions both inside and outside Russia.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">Novaya Gazeta halted operations in Russia in March, more than a
month after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, when Moscow passed legislation
imposing harsh prison sentences on anybody who criticises the Kremlin's
murderous military assault.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">Bidders could purchase Muratov's medal in person or online, with
all revenues benefiting UNICEF's Humanitarian Response for Ukrainian Children
Displaced by War.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">Muratov was assaulted on a train in April when someone flung
oil-based paint mixed with acetone in his face, burning his eyes.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">Six journalists and associates from Novaya Gazeta have been
slain in connection with their work since 2000, including investigative
reporter Anna Politkovskaya.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">Muratov has named his Nobel Peace Prize after them.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">Last year, Muratov told AFP that "this journal is dangerous
for people's lives." "There's no way we're going anywhere."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#2E2E2E">The acclaimed journalist noted that earning the Nobel Prize
"gives you an opportunity to be heard" in a video released by
Heritage.
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