WikiLeaks in race for Nobel Peace Prize

LONDON: WikiLeaks, the whistleblowing website, has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by a young Norwegian politician.

The controversial proposal comes just days ahead of a court appearance by WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange, at an extradition hearing in London over allegations of sexual assault in Sweden, a charge he has repeatedly denied.

The Nobel Peace Prize committee is beginning to deliberate nominations, which closed on February 1. Members of parliament around the world, some academics and previous winners can nominate whoever they like for the award.

Snorre Valen, 26, a Norwegian musician and politician, said he chose to nominate WikiLeaks for promoting human rights and freedom of speech.

“Liu Xiabao was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year for his struggle for human rights, democracy and freedom of speech in China,” Valen wrote on his website.

“Likewise: WikiLeaks have contributed to the struggle for those very values globally, by exposing (among many other things) corruption, war crimes and torture.”

Although it is hard to gauge how seriously the nomination will be considered by the Nobel committee, the prospect of giving such a high-profile award to WikiLeaks will outrage many in Washington and governments around the world.

The US government has been exploring ways to prosecute Assange for publishing vast quantities of state secrets online, many of which have embarrassed the US administration.

However, some observers did not rate WikiLeaks’ chances of winning.