Beck Prize for Sherbakova and Navalnaya
The Ludwig Beck Prize for Civil Courage of the State Capital of Wiesbaden for the year 2025 goes to the Russian historian and journalist Dr. Irina Scherbakowa and the Russian human rights activist Julia Nawalnaja. The prize for civic courage goes to Johann Zernickel and Andrej Belosludov.
The official presentation of both awards will take place on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Dr. Irina Scherbakowa
Dr. Irina Scherbakowa receives the Ludwig Beck Prize for Civil Courage for her many years of personal and political commitment as a founding member of the Russian human rights organization Memorial. The historian and academic is committed to coming to terms with and investigating the crimes of the Soviet era and Soviet political tyranny.
She is regarded as the mouthpiece of the freedom movement in Russia and campaigns for a democratic Russia and reconciliation. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, Sherbakova left her home country.
She has been living in exile in Germany since July 2022.
Julia Navalnaya
Yulia Navalnaya receives the Ludwig Beck Prize for Civil Courage for her years of support for her husband, opposition politician Alexei Navalny, until his death.
She stood up for the fundamental values of the UN Charter of Human Rights at the risk of her freedom and her life. In this way, she continues her husband's political struggle and is committed to freedom, democracy and peace.
Lord Mayor Gert-Uwe MendeWith their unwavering commitment to freedom, human dignity and truth, Dr. Irina Scherbakowa and Julia Nawalnaja embody the spirit of peaceful resistance. Their work is a reminder that civil courage and humanity are the cornerstones of a just and open society. The state capital of Wiesbaden honors this commitment with the Ludwig Beck Prize for Civil Courage.
Prize for civic courage
Since 2011, the award for civic courage has honored people, associations and institutions from Wiesbaden who have made a special effort to help others. In 2025, the award, endowed with 2,500 euros, will go to Johann Zernickel and Andrej Belosludov, who were nominated by Felix Paschek, the then Chief of Police of West Hesse.
In April 2024, Zernickel and Belosludov saved a neighbor from a knife attack. Zernickel pulled the attacker away from the neighbor and held him until the police arrived. Meanwhile, Belosludov secured the knife that the attacker had dropped and administered first aid. The seriously injured neighbor was taken to hospital after the arrival of the police and ambulance service and successfully operated on there.
Contact us
Office of the magistrate
Address
Schlossplatz 6
65183 Wiesbaden
Postal address
65029 Wiesbaden
Arrival
Notes on public transport
Bus stop Dern'sches Gelände, Luisenplatz and Wilhelmstraße.
Telephone
- +49 611 313316
- +49 611 313907
Information on accessibility
- Barrier-free access is available
- The WC is barrier-free