Strasbourg, 26/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on Thursday 26 October, the Conference of the Presidents of the political groups in the European Parliament decided to award this year's Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought to the leader of the Belarusian opposition Alexander Milinkevich. Two rounds of voting were necessary to separate the eventual winner and the two other candidates nominated by the political groups: the Lebanese diplomat Ghassan Tueni, in honour of the many Lebanese leaders assassinated over the last few years, and the organisations which are campaigning for the liberation of hostages in Colombia. The former Belarusian presidential candidate, who was imprisoned for 15 days for taking part in an unauthorised meeting in Minsk, was ultimately supported by the EPP-ED, UEN, ALDE and IND/DEM groups. The prize includes the sum of €50,000 and will be awarded at a formal plenary session in Strasbourg in December. (oj)