Journalist and human rights activist Maksym Butkevych, who was released from captivity, likely to receive Open Society Prize

Ukrainian journalist and human rights activist Maksym Butkevych has been shortlisted for the Open Society Prize 2026 in the “Creators of an Open Society” nomination.

This was reported by Chytomo with reference to the organizers of the award, the international foundation Renaissance. Butkevych became one of the finalists who were recognized for their contribution to the development of democratic values ​​and the protection of human rights.

Also on the shortlist are well-known human rights activist Oleksandra Matviichuk, public figure and journalist Yevhen Hlibovytsky. The winners in each of the four nominations will be announced on April 16. In 2026, the foundation will present the award for the second time.

Maksym Butkevych is a human rights activist and journalist who has been working in the field of human rights for over 20 years. He is a co-founder of the restored Public Radio, the ZMINA Human Rights Center, and was also one of the organizers of the Docudays UA festival. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Butkevych joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and in June 2022 he was captured by the russians, where he spent two and a half years and was sentenced to 13 years in prison. On October 18, 2024, he was released as part of an exchange.

The Open Society Prize recognizes people and initiatives that contribute to the development of a democratic society, strengthening freedom, and countering authoritarianism.

NUJU Information Service