Russia Slams Pussy Riot Nomination for Sakharov Award

A plan by European Union legislators to nominate three jailed members of the punk group Pussy Riot for the Andrei Sakharov human rights award represents interference in Russia's judicial affairs, the Russian Foreign Ministry's plenipotentiary for human rights and democracy Konstantin Dolgov said on Tuesday. "The  initiative cannot be assessed as anything other than a crude attempt at interference in the activities of independent arms of the Russian state and as an attempt to cast doubt on the decision of the judge, who delivered her verdict in accordance with the due process of law," Dolgov said in a statement. The European Union deputies confirmed the nomination on Tuesday afternoon. The winner will be chosen in December in Strasbourg. The Sakharov Prize, which comes with a 50,000 Euro award, is given for special contributions to the protection of human rights.

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