Accessibility links

Breaking News

Investigative Journalists Name Putin Corruption's 'Person Of The Year'


Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been named corruption's "person of the year" for 2014 by an international group of investigative journalists.

The Sarajevo-based Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) made the announcement on December 31, noting that Putin "has been a finalist" every year since the "award" began.

"You might consider this a lifetime achievement award," said OCCRP editor Drew Sullivan.

According to the statement, Putin "was recognized for his work in turning Russia into a major money-laundering center for enabling organized crime in Crimea and in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine; for his unblemished record of failing to prosecute criminal activity; and for advancing a government policy of working with and using crime groups."

Runners-up in the competition including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG