M100 Board Member Sabine Schicketanz on the M100 Media Award for Alexei Nawalny

„Showing great personal courage and putting his life on the line, Alexei Navalny denounces the corruption of the elites as well as the arbitrary approach of courts and authorities. Refusing to be intimidated, he defends seriously threatened and restricted democratic values in his homeland – freedom of expression, protection of civil and human rights, acceptance of a political opposition and the rule of law. The award for Navalny, who remains imprisoned despite all the protests from Western politicians and governments, appeals for his release and the now banned network of his comrades-in-arms (the FBK Foundation), is also meant as a sign of support for the opposition and civil society in Russia.“