Nobel Peace Prize Leak Likely Result of Espionage, Says Committee Secretary
A potential leak regarding the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado may have resulted from espionage, according to the Nobel Institute. This assertion was made by Kristian Berg Harpviken, the institute’s director, during an interview with Norwegian media.
Nobel Peace Prize Odds Surge
On a predictive betting platform, Polymarket, Machado’s odds of winning the Nobel Peace Prize surged from 3.75% to nearly 73% within a single day, from Thursday to Friday. This drastic increase raised questions, as none of the experts or media had mentioned her as a frontrunner prior to the announcement.
Espionage Allegations Confirmed
Harpviken stated, “Highly likely it’s espionage,” on Norway’s TV2, highlighting that such a breach could create the impression of an inside leak. However, committee chairman Jorgen Watne Frydnes insisted that he does not believe Machado’s name had been leaked at all. Frydnes told NTB news agency, “I can’t imagine that’s the case.”
Investigating Security Measures
Despite the differing viewpoints, Harpviken confirmed the institute plans to investigate this incident further and may enhance security protocols. He remarked, “It’s too certain to say for sure, but it’s no secret that the Nobel Institute is subject to espionage.”
He noted that various entities, including states, have an interest in acquiring confidential information from the institute. Harpviken emphasized that the motives behind such espionage actions can be both political and economic, noting that this issue has persisted for several decades.
Limited Knowledge of Laureate
Only a select few individuals within the Nobel Committee are privy to the identity of the laureate before the official announcement. While previous years have seen unexpected names surface in Norwegian media, this trend has been less prominent in recent times.
Maria Corina Machado’s Award
Maria Corina Machado received the award for her relentless advocacy for democratic rights in Venezuela and her efforts toward a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. The committee recognized her contributions, stating, “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela.”
Emotional Notification
A video shared on social media captured Harpviken’s emotional phone call to Machado, informing her of the award just hours before the official announcement. Machado expressed her gratitude, stating, “Oh my God. I have no words. Thank you so much.” She emphasized that the recognition was for a collective movement rather than solely for her individual efforts.
