The award, named after Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, has been awarded annually since 1988 to individuals and organizations working to protect human rights, democracy and freedom of thought. It is worth 50 thousand euros, and the awarding ceremony will take place on December 16 in Strasbourg.
The European Union has warned that the sanctions endanger the independence of the tribunal and its ability to continue its investigations. In Brussels, measures are being considered to protect the banking and technological services essential to its activity. Winning the Sakharov Prize is therefore seen as a clear expression of European political support for the court, and as a direct message to Washington that Europe does not intend to abandon the institution despite American pressure.