Belarusian Opposition Leader Refuses Award Money

Alyaksandr Milinkevich pictured in jail in April (Bymedia.net) December 13, 2006 -- Belarusian opposition leader Alyaksandr Milinkevich has turned down the 50,000 euros that go with the European Parliament's top human rights prize.

On December 12, when he was presented with the Andrei Sakharov Prize, Milinkevich said it was intended for "all those who continue fighting for freedom" in Belarus.

His press service today asked the EU to use the money to help Belarusians who have suffered from repression by the authorities.

(Reuters, Belapan)