The Dresden Peace Prize was awarded to Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, who died under mysterious circumstances in an Arctic Circle prison camp on February 16.

"The resistance of the opposition politician was and is an emboldening example to all the human rights defenders who are continuing his activities," the organizers said of the winner on Sunday.

Gauck, who had already praised Navalny as an "icon of all decent Russians" shortly after the news of his death, used a German sporting expression on Sunday and called the dissident a "feared opponent" for President Vladimir Putin.

The ceremony also included a performance of "Alexei Navalny's Speeches in Court" by the Dresden State Theatre ensemble. The award comes with a €10,000 (roughly $10,800) prize.

A blogger with a sense of humor

Born in 1976, Navalny gained worldwide attention for his many years of work to expose corruption and human rights abuses in President Vladimir Putin's Russia.

As a blogger, Navalny reached millions with his humor, especially younger Russians. In doing so, he made many powerful enemies. The Kremlin endeavored to keep him out of politics but Navalny still managed to organize supporters across the country.

Businessman, lawyer, politician

Navalny began his career as a businessman and lawyer. At the end of the 1990s, in his mid-20s, he became involved in the left-liberal Yabloko party but was expelled in 2007 due to conflicts with the party leadership and his nationalist views. He was subsequently active in a nationalist movement — a reason that he was also controversial in Russian opposition circles.

Bd pratidin English/Lutful Hoque