The Russian editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta has auctioned off his Nobel Peace Prize medal for $103.5 million (£84 million).

Dmitry Muratov said all the money from sale will go to help refugees from the war in Ukraine.

Muratov was co-awarded the peace prize in 2021 for defending freedom of expression in Russia.

Novaya Gazeta suspended its operations in March, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This came after Moscow said anyone who described Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a “war” would face heavy fines or closures. The Kremlin calls the conflict a “special military operation”.

Heritage Auctions, which conducted the sale, has not revealed who the winning bidder was.

(Source: BBC News, June 21-2022)