Journalist Andrzej Poczobut freed in US-brokered Belarus prisoner swap
Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut was freed from a Belarus prison as part of a five-for-five prisoner swap at the Poland-Belarus border. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed his release and greeted him personally.
Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut walked free from a Belarus prison Monday as part of a prisoner exchange between the two countries. The deal swapped five prisoners from each side at their shared border.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met Poczobut at the border and posted a photo on social media saying "Andrzej Poczobut is free! Welcome to your Polish home, my friend."
Poczobut was arrested by Belarus authorities in 2021 and sentenced to eight years in a penal colony. He won the 2025 Sakharov Prize for human rights work while imprisoned.
The United States helped broker the prisoner exchange deal. Details about the other prisoners involved have not been released yet.
This prisoner exchange shows diplomatic progress between hostile nations and highlights how journalists face imprisonment for their work. The US-brokered deal could signal improved relations in Eastern Europe.
Watch for details about the other prisoners exchanged and whether this signals broader diplomatic talks between Poland and Belarus.
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