Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said Friday that the decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to jailed rights defender Ales Bialiatski was “recognition for all Belarusians fighting for freedom and democracy.” Bialiatski’s wife meanwhile told AFP she was “overwhelmed with emotions. I express my deep gratitude to the Nobel Committee and the international community for recognising the work of Ales, his colleagues and his organisation.”