Sentsov was not in the Parliament to collect the award in person, because he remains in prison in Siberia, serving a 20-year sentence for “plotting acts of terrorism” against the Russian “de facto” rule in Crimea.

His cousin Natalya Kaplan and lawyer Dmitriy Dinze represented him during the ceremony in Strasbourg.

Awarding the prize, Parliament President Antonio Tajani said: “Oleg Sentsov was nominated for his peaceful protest against the illegal occupation of his native Crimea. Also for his courage, determination and his convictions in support of human dignity, democracy, the rule of law and human rights; these are the values on which our Union is built, even more after the terrible attack of yesterday, values that this Parliament cherishes, upholds and promotes."

“Sentsov’s hunger strike and courageous public stance made him a symbol of the struggle for the release of political prisoners held in Russia and around the world,” he added. Noting that the award comes against a backdrop of serious tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Tajani called for a de-escalation of the situation and reiterated support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The President called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sentsov and all other illegally detained Ukrainian citizens in Russia and the Crimean peninsula as well as other imprisoned laureates: “The Sakharov Prize is not only an award. It is a commitment. And we keep standing close by our laureates.”

Accepting the award, Natalya Kaplan described in a very vivid way Sentsov's early life, his actions during the annexation of Crimea and the tortures and beating he went through when he was arrested and condemned for things he had never done. “Oleg is a person who cannot give up and just sit quietly," she said. "He is a fighter by nature.”

Speaking of his hunger strike for the release of all Ukrainian political prisoners, she said: “During his 145-day hunger strike not a single political prisoner was released, but this doesn’t mean he lost. Thanks to his act the whole world spoke about Russian repressions: this is a victory."

She concluded by reading a message from Sentsov himself, which began: “I can’t be present in this room, but you can hear my words. Even if someone else is saying them, words are a person's main tool and often his only one too, especially when everything else has been taken from him."

Tajani also welcomed the parents of 2018 Sakharov Prize finalist Nasser Zefzafi who is in prison and representatives of the 11 NGOs saving lives in the Mediterranean, who were also finalists.

Commenting on 30 years of the Sakharov prize, Tajani said: "[The award] has supported individuals and organisations around the world who are fully committed to fight for social justice, often at great personal risk.”

“Five Sakharov laureates were subsequently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize” he added, including Dr Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad who received the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.

Background

On 25 October, Tajani announced that the 2018 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought would be awarded to Oleg Sentsov.