Red-faced organisers of a prominent German political prize bowed to growing pressure Saturday and went back on a decision to award Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin a major award. The Werkstatt Deutschland organisation cited "massive criticism in the media and the political world" over plans to give Putin the Quadriga Award recognising "role models for enlightenment, dedication and the public good."
The retraction came after a week of controversy following the decision to award Putin, Russia's former president and for many still the real political force in the country. Outraged critics said any award to Putin would make a mockery of previous winners of the prize, who include several leading rights activists.
The Russian leader has been accused of presiding over serious human rights abuses during his time in power, particularly over the conduct of the conflict in Chechnya. Among the dissenters were several members of the Werkstatt executive committee, who walked out in disgust, but at least two former winners of the prize also objected.
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