Blogger Bencik Awarded 2017 European Citizen's Prize

Bratislava, June 13 (TASR) – Slovak blogger and civil activist Jan Bencik has been awarded the 2017 European Citizen’s Prize granted by the European Parliament, MEP Ivan Stefanec (Christian Democrats/KDH) told TASR on Tuesday.

The Slovak MEP, who nominated Bencik for the award, went on to say that the blogger deals with Slovak extremists by systematically monitoring and uncovering their extremist activities. For his comments and stories Bencik has received death threats.

“He’s doing great work of European significance. Nowadays when extremism in Europe is on the rise, it’s extremely important to point to the people who aren’t afraid to stand up against it,” said Stefanec.

The European Parliament has been awarding the European Citizen’s Prize since 2008 to individuals and
initiatives that have contributed to European cooperation and that promote common values. This year it has honoured 50 people and organisations from 26 EU countries with the award.

The winners will pick up their European Citizen’s Prize medal at a ceremony in Brussels in the autumn.