2023-09-02 13:32:01
STOCKHOLM (AP) — The Nobel Foundation on Saturday withdrew its invitation to representatives from Russia, Belarus and Iran to attend the Nobel prize ceremonies because the controversial decision “provoked strong reactions.”
Several Swedish lawmakers said on Friday they would boycott the ceremonies in Stockholm when the private foundation that administers the coveted awards invited Russia, Belarus and Iran, which were previously off limits.
Some of the lawmakers cited Russia’s war in Ukraine and attacks on human rights in Iran as reasons for their attitude.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told the local press that if it were up to him, he would not allow Russian assistance.
The Nobel Foundation said in a brief statement that “the basis of the decision (to invite the three countries) is to convey as widely as possible the values and messages that the Nobel Prize represents.”
He added that in the face of “the strong reactions in Sweden, which totally overshadowed this message”, he chose not to invite “the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm”.
However, he said he would stick to the usual practice of inviting all ambassadors to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway.
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