Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov is auctioning off his medal to help Ukrainian refugees.- The funds raised from the
auction in New York on June 20 will go toUNICEF 's humanitarian efforts.
Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, one of the 2021
Muratov was the editor-in-chief of the now-censored Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta. He won the Nobel prize alongside fellow journalist Maria Ressa of the Philippines for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace."
Muratov is now following through with his pledge in March to donate the medal to Ukrainian refugees after calling for an auction house to help him put the item up for sale.
Muratov's medal has been listed by Heritage Auctions, and its auction will be held on June 20 in New York.
"One successful bidder will walk away from this auction with a gold medal representing Mr. Muratov's life's work and sacrifice. Still, it is his wish that EVERYONE participates by donating what they can to UNICEF," read the listing.
All the proceeds from the sale of the medal will go to UNICEF's humanitarian efforts for Ukrainian children displaced by the war, per the listing.
"The goal is to use this event to foster awareness of
The New York Times reported that the $500,000 in prize money awarded to Muratov would be disbursed to several charities on top of the funds from the auction.
Speaking to The Times, Muratov said that the auction was "an act of solidarity" with the people of Ukraine in light of
"If we look at the number of refugees, we basically have World War III, not a local conflict," Muratov told The Times. "This has been a mistake, and we need to end it."