The Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left nominated Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah for the European Parliament's 2014 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, according to a parliament press release. Alaa is among seven nominees chosen by different European political groups and MEPs. The nominees are to be presented to the Foreign Affairs and Development committees as well as the Human Rights subcommittee on 23 September and shortlisted on 7 October. Political group leaders and the parliament's president are to decide on the laureate on 16 October. The prize was first set up in 1988 to "honour individuals or organisations for their efforts on behalf of human rights and fundamental freedom," according to the parliament website. Among the nominees are Moroccan rapper, human rights activist Mouad Belghouate and Tunisian rapper Ala Yaacoubi. Abdel Fattah was granted release on bail last week and is currently on retrial for a 15-year prison sentence for breaking the country's Protest Law. His sister Sanaa remains detained for violating the same law, and is currently on hunger strike.
