Paris, 10 December 2002 (RFE/RL) -- The Paris-based media-advocacy group Reporters Without Borders today awarded Russian journalist Grigorii Pasko its top annual prize for his reporting. Pasko's wife accepted the award, $7,600, as her husband is currently serving a four-year prison sentence after being found guilty by a military court of intending to hand over sensitive information to a foreign power.
Pasko has denied the charges and says he is being punished for his reporting on the Russian Navy's dumping of toxic materials into the Sea of Japan.
Pasko was among five journalists considered for the award.
Reporters Without Borders said Pasko is one of 110 journalists currently jailed for "just wanting to do their job."
Pasko has denied the charges and says he is being punished for his reporting on the Russian Navy's dumping of toxic materials into the Sea of Japan.
Pasko was among five journalists considered for the award.
Reporters Without Borders said Pasko is one of 110 journalists currently jailed for "just wanting to do their job."