OREANDA-NEWS. Democratic opposition of Belarus won the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. This was announced at a session of the European Parliament.

European Parliament President David Sassoli congratulated the laureates, noting their courage, resilience and determination. “They have stood and still stay strong in the face of a much stronger adversary. But they have on their side something that brute force can never defeat – and this is the truth. So my message for you, dear laureates, is to stay strong and not to give up on your fight. Know that we are by your side,” he said.

The President noted that the opposition of Belarus is represented by the Coordination Council consisting of “brave women”: former presidential candidate of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, writer and Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich, Maria Kalesnikava, Olga Kovalkova, Veronica Tsepkalo.

The winners will be awarded on December 16.