The European Parliament held an award ceremony for the Sakharov Prize winners, imprisoned journalists Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, and Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut.

“It is a great honour, dear colleagues, to host you at the Sakharov Prize award ceremony, which is dedicated to outstanding individuals and organisations who fight for freedom and democracy all over the world, who inspire others, who continue to fight for truth no matter how great the challenge and how great the sacrifices required. Today we welcome two extraordinary people: journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli. Andrzej and Mzia are not with us today, they are in prison, simply for doing their job, for speaking out against injustice and persecution,” said Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.

The prize for Andrzej Poczobut was presented to his daughter, Jana Poczobut, and for Mzia Amaglobeli - to journalist Irma Dimitradze.

Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli were named the winners of the Sakharov Prize in October of this year. The winners of the prize will be awarded 50,000 euros.

The Sakharov Prize was established by the European Parliament in 1988. The award is awarded annually for contributions to human rights and fundamental freedoms, the development of democracy and the rule of law, respect for international law and the protection of minority rights.