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Vladimir Putin warns the Russian Nobel Peace Prize laureate against breaking laws
Photo:
POOL / REUTERS
Rodrigo Duterte has accused Maria Ressa of producing fake news in the past.
After the journalist had won the Nobel Peace Prize, a spokesman for the Philippine President nevertheless congratulated.
Vladimir Putin now threatened the Russian Nobel Peace Prize laureate instead of congratulating him.
Addressing the journalist Dmitrij Muratov, who is critical of the Kremlin, Putin said: “If he covers himself with the Nobel Prize like a protective shield in order to violate Russian laws, then he is doing it consciously.
If he doesn't violate Russian laws and doesn't give any reason to declare him a "foreign agent," then he won't either. "
Muratov himself later stated that he would accept the award regardless of the statements made by the Kremlin chief.
"The state can do what it wants, but we will receive the award, we will not forego the award," the 59-year-old told the Interfax agency.
The Kremlin had congratulated Muratov on his award.
The journalist said he was assured that the prize money was no reason to declare him a "foreign agent."
Muratow dedicates prize to female journalists who have been shot
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Muratow and the Filipino journalist Maria Ressa at the end of last week.
The award for the two media representatives is intended to underline the importance of protecting freedom of expression and freedom of the press for democracy and peace.
Muratov declared that the award would also be dedicated to the journalists who were killed in his newspaper - including Anna Politkovskaya and Natalia Estemirova, who were shot.
According to a controversial law, the media and non-governmental organizations in Russia have to register as “foreign agents” if they finance themselves with money from abroad.
Moscow justifies this with protection from political interference in internal affairs.
Critics, on the other hand, complain that the decision is often politically motivated.
svs / dpa
