WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has launched a legal challenge against the Nobel Foundation, accusing it of transforming the Nobel Peace Prize into a political instrument that legitimizes war and foreign intervention.
The complaint follows the foundation’s decision to award the prize to Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado. Assange argues that Machado’s political record and support for international pressure campaigns contradict the core principles of peace the award was meant to represent.
In a statement released by his legal team, Assange said the prize has “lost its moral credibility,” claiming it is increasingly used to advance Western geopolitical interests rather than genuine efforts to prevent conflict. He contends that honoring political actors involved in destabilization efforts undermines the legacy of the award.
The Nobel Foundation has not commented publicly on the lawsuit but has previously defended its selection process as independent and consistent with its mandate. Supporters of Machado argue that the prize recognizes her advocacy for democracy and human rights in Venezuela.
The case has reignited debate over the politicization of international awards and the role of high-profile institutions in global conflicts. Observers say the legal action is unlikely to overturn the award but could intensify scrutiny of how peace and human rights are defined — and who gets to define them.
