Iranian activists win Sakharov Prize – but MEPs denied visit

The European Parliament (EP) has awarded its prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2012 jointly to imprisoned Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and Iranian film director Jafar Panahi, who has also spent time in jail for his work. The prize, awarded annually since 1988, “honours exceptional individuals who combat intolerance, fanaticism and oppression to defend human rights and freedom of expression”.