Pinter writer’s prize awarded to Belarusian reporter

A prestigious prize has been awarded to Belarusian journalist, Iryna Khalip.

Khalip, who worked for the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was jailed and beaten in December 2010 for speaking out against atrocities stemming from President Alexander Lukashenko.

She was widely criticized by her own people for her criticism of her country’s government.

Khalip, alongside playwright Tom Stoppard, is now the recipient of the PEN/Pinter prize which is awarded to both a British writer and a “writer of courage”.

Stoppard said Monday, “I started off as a journalist and I’m proud to share the prize with a brave reporter.”