Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov has announced that he will auction off his Nobel Peace Prize medal to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees.
Muratov was one of two winners of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, along with Filipino journalist Maria Ressa. He is the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazetaan independent Russian newspaper known for its critical and investigative coverage of the country’s politics and social affairs.
Muratov announced his decision on the newspaper’s website on Tuesday.
“Novaya Gazeta and I have decided to donate the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Medal to the Ukrainian Refugee Fund,” he wrote, according to Google’s English translation. “There are already more than 10 million refugees. I’m asking auction houses to respond and auction off this world-famous prize.”
He also called on Russia to stop combat fire, exchange prisoners, provide humanitarian corridors and assistance, release the bodies of the dead, and support refugees.
At the individual level, he said, people can “share with refugees, the injured and children in need of urgent care what is dear to you and of value to others”.
Muratov had previously promised he ‘wouldn’t take or receive even a penny of the money that came with the peace prize, telling the United Nations that the newspaper had held an editorial board meeting to work out how to distribute it.
