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Cacho, Saviano win Palme for exposing criminals – Metro US

Cacho, Saviano win Palme for exposing criminals

STOCKHOLM – Italian writer Roberto Saviano and Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho have been named co-winners of the $75,000 Olof Palme Prize for their efforts to expose criminal networks despite great personal risk.

Cacho was charged with libel and received death threats after publishing a book about a child sex abuse ring involving business figures in Cancun in 2005.

Saviano’s 2006 book “Gomorrah” exposed the reach and ruthless methods of Naples’ criminal underworld. It forced Saviano to live in hiding with round-the-clock police protection.

The award is endowed by the family of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, who was murdered in 1986, and the left-leaning Social Democratic Party. It was set up to honour efforts carried out in his spirit.