Belarus Frees Journalist Andrzej Poczobut in US-Brokered Prisoner Swap

Belarus has released Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut from a penal colony as part of a multi-country prisoner exchange brokered by the United States.

The release was confirmed by Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk on April 28, 2026.

Poczobut had been detained by Belarusian authorities in 2021 and sentenced to eight years in a labour camp following a trial widely criticised as politically motivated.

His health reportedly deteriorated during his imprisonment.

The prisoner swap involved ten prisoners in total, including Polish, Moldovan, and Russian nationals.

Alongside Poczobut, Polish priest Grzegorz Gawel and a Belarusian who assisted Polish services were also freed.

The exchange was described by Tusk as the result of a two-year diplomatic effort involving Poland, the United States, Romania, and Moldova.

This development is significant as it may signal a potential thaw in relations between Belarus and Western countries, which have been strained due to Belarus's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The talks were led by the US Special Envoy to Belarus, John Coale, who highlighted the importance of Belarus ceasing politically motivated imprisonments to improve its international standing.

Coale confirmed the release of three Polish nationals and two Moldovans as part of the swap.

Poczobut, a correspondent for a Polish newspaper and a prominent activist within the Polish community in Belarus, was awarded the Sakharov Prize in 2025.

His detention and sentencing had drawn condemnation from rights groups and Western governments.

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