Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned the decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Russia's largest independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, saying that the Nobel Prize awarded to him was "political".
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Referring to former US President Barack Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, Vladimir Putin said, "We know many cases when decisions are made exclusively under the influence of the current political situation." It is not an honor for those who make such decisions.
He said, "Why is he a Nobel Prize winner?" What did he do to defend the peace except to start military operations in some parts of the world which he failed to do when he was president.
Russia's independent media have faced pressure in recent years, with authorities stepping up pressure since Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine in February.
After media coverage of the attack was banned, many independent organizations continued to operate from abroad.
Asked about the journalists leaving Russia, President Putin said they were "happy to be able to leave" because they had "always worked against our country."
President Vladimir Putin also supported a Russian court's decision to jail a respected former defense reporter for 22 years for treason, saying he had been found guilty.
Putin said that Ivan Safronov not only earned money from journalistic activities, but also collected material and delivered it to Western intelligence services.
Safronov, 32, was convicted on Monday of divulging state secrets.
