Chinese, Afghan activists favorites for Nobel Peace Prize

Chinese, Afghan activists favorites for Nobel

OSLO, Norway — A Chinese dissident and human rights activists from Afghanistan and Russia are possible candidates for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize, announced on Friday.

Liu Xiaobo, who was sentenced in China last Christmas Day to 11 years in prison for subversion, has received by far the most attention in the annual guessing-game for the $1.5 million award.

Other names in this year’s Nobel buzz include Afghan women’s rights activist Sima Samar and Russian human rights activist Svetlana Gannushkina.

The last woman to win the coveted award was Wangari Maathai of Kenya in 2004.

Norwegian news agency NTB said former German chancellor Helmut Kohl was also a potential winner, for his role in the reunification of Germany 20 years ago.