Nobel Peace Prize: Nominated by Lech Walsa Navalny

France Media Agency

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 for his struggle against the head of the Independent Union Solidarity that led to the end of communist rule in Poland, and Lech Walesa then became the first democratically elected Polish president.

In a letter to the Novel Committee on Thursday, Lech Wales submitted his candidacy to Mr Navalny, his secretary Marek Kazmar told AFP.

According to excerpts from the letter cited by the newspaper Gazita Vyborza, Russia’s opponent is fighting against dictatorship in the name of democratic ideals, protection of human rights, freedoms and the rule of law.

Navalny “a hero”

In an interview with the AFP, Lech Wales called Mr. Navalny a “hero” who insisted that if he could speak to himself, he would be inspired by his own example in the days of communism and advise to fight the system.

“I realized that I was not a person to blame, it was a system that allowed leaders to behave badly. This is what you can see in Russia,” he said.

Alexei Navalny was sentenced on Tuesday to two years and eight months in prison for violating the 2014 judicial review rules. He believes President Vladimir Putin is trying to silence him after he escaped poisoning last summer.