Belarus frees prominent journalist Andrzej Poczobut in a 10-person prisoner swap
Belarus has released prominent journalist Andrzej Poczobut in a 10-person prisoner swap with Poland and other countries, marking a step in the country's efforts to improve relations with the West. Poczobut, who was serving an eight-year sentence on charges widely seen as politically motivated, was welcomed by Polish leaders after his release. The exchange involved intelligence cooperation among seven nations and reflects broader diplomatic shifts under U.S. engagement with Belarus. Hundreds of political prisoners remain detained in Belarus despite recent releases.
- ▪Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist for Gazeta Wyborcza and a key figure in Belarus' Polish minority, was freed after serving years of an eight-year sentence on politically charged accusations.
- ▪The prisoner swap included 10 individuals and involved Poland, Moldova, Romania, and other countries, with coordination from U.S. officials and intelligence services from seven nations.
- ▪Poczobut was arrested in 2021 for covering pro-democracy protests following the disputed 2020 Belarusian election and was later awarded the EU's Sakharov Prize for human rights.
- ▪Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has recently taken steps to ease tensions with the West, including releasing political prisoners and engaging in U.S.-backed negotiations.
- ▪Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya praised Poczobut as a hero and called for the release of the hundreds of remaining political prisoners in the country.
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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsShopInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onBelarus frees prominent journalist Andrzej Poczobut in a 10-person prisoner swapOfficials say prominent journalist Andrzej Poczobut has been released from jail in Belarus in a swap with Poland that also saw a total of 10 people freed as the authoritarian leader of Belarus seeks improved relations with the WestByCLAUDIA CIOBANU Associated Press and YURAS KARMANAU Associated PressApril 28, 2026, 7:23 AM1:52FILE - Journalist Andrzej Poczobut stands in a defendants' cage in court in Grodno, Belarus, on Jan. 16, 2023.
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