STOCKHOLM, Sept 2 (Portal) – The Nobel Foundation said on Saturday it would not invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm this year after all, reversing an earlier decision after widespread criticism.
Last year, the foundation sidelined the ambassadors of Russia and its ally Belarus because of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
The foundation said Thursday it would invite her and the Iranian ambassador to this year’s awards ceremonies in December, saying it sought to include those who did not share the Nobel Prize’s values.
This announcement prompted the leaders of several Swedish political parties to announce that they would boycott the ceremonies.
“We recognize the strong reactions in Sweden,” the foundation said in a statement on Saturday.
“We therefore decide to repeat last year’s exception to regular practice – that is, not inviting the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm.”
The winners are announced in early October and five of the six Nobel Prizes are awarded each year in Stockholm following a nomination process that is kept secret for the next 50 years. The Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded in Oslo, where special celebrations will take place.
Reporting by Simon Johnson, Editing by Frances Kerry
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