Sergiy Tsyhipa, imprisoned by Russia, became a laureate of the National Award for the Protection of Freedom of Speech.

Favorite journalist from Kherson region, Sergiy Tsyhipa, received the national award for the protection of freedom of speech named after Ihor Lubenko for the year 2024, despite his conviction in Russia. This was reported by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.

On January 23, the Board of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine awarded Sergiy Tsyhipa with the journalism award for his resilience and loyalty to the profession.

Life Path of Sergiy Tsyhipa

Sergiy Tsyhipa, born on August 10, 1961, is a member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine. He is the organizer of the 'Tavrian Games' festival and has held the positions of deputy editor-in-chief in several national publications. He has also conducted journalistic investigations. In 2008, an assassination attempt was made on Tsyhipa. He also participated in the Revolution of Dignity and served in the Special Operations Forces.

On March 12, 2022, Russian occupiers arrested Sergiy Tsyhipa on charges of espionage. On October 6, 2023, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Simferopol 'court'.

'I am a citizen of Ukraine. I do not care how long you give me - two years or twenty. I will only become a free person when the Armed Forces of Ukraine come here,' Tsyhipa stated before the announcement of the verdict.

On February 14, 2024, the appellate 'court' confirmed this verdict. On April 8, 2024, Sergiy Tsyhipa was transferred to Russia.

It is worth noting that in 2023 the award was given to the Swedish human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders, which played a significant role in protecting Ukrainian journalists and documenting evidence of war crimes.