The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) awarded on Thursday its annual International Press Freedom Award to Russian journalist Nadira Isayeva, CPJ said.
The prestigious award is given to journalists who have risked their freedom and security to report the truth as they see it in their countries.
Isayeva, 31, is the editor-in-chief of the independent weekly Chernovik (Rough Draft) in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan and has consistently published articles criticizing the brutality of the state counter-terrorism agencies in the volatile region.
"Isayeva, 31, has incurred the wrath of security services in Russia's volatile North Caucasus for her relentless reporting on their handling of violence and militant Islam in the region," CPJ's website says.
The authorities brought a criminal case against Isayeva under anti-extremist legislation in 2008 after she published an interview with former guerrilla leader Rappani Khalilov who accused local authorities of corruption. If convicted, she faces up to eight years in prison.
Three other journalists were also awarded the prize: Dawit Kebede of Ethiopia, Laureano Marquez of Venezuela, and Mohammad Davari of Iran.
The award ceremony will be held on November 23 in New York.
RIA Novosti
