Poczobut wins Sakharov Prize

October 22, Pozirk. Jailed journalists Andrzej Poczobut in Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli in Georgia have won the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced.
Poczobut was nominated by the European People’s Party Group and the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.
“He is a journalist, essayist and blogger from the Polish minority in Belarus, known for his criticism of Alaksandar Łukašenka’s regime and has become a symbolic figure in the struggle for freedom and democracy in the country,” MEPs said.
Poczobut was repeatedly arrested and given eight years in prison after being detained in 2021. He has often been held in solitary confinement without proper medical care with his current health situation unknown. MEPs demanded his immediate and unconditional release.
Every year, the European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize to outstanding people and organizations who defend human rights and fight for democracy and the rule of law. This year’s nominees included journalists in Palestine, Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal and Budapest Pride.
Poczobut held in penal colony’s isolation wing amid health decline
- PoliticsPolitically motivated convictions reported on November 29, 30The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityLithuanians “shooting themselves between the legs,” says Łukašenka spokeswoman about drone incidentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SecurityBelarus sentences ex-volunteer of Kalinoŭski regiment to five years in prisonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, SecurityVilnius does not consider border closure in response to cigarette-smuggling balloonsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian security official in Istanbul meets with Turkish counterpartThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPoland sees increase in irregular migration via Belarus in late NovemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- SocietyPeople with disabilities make up 6 percent of Belarus' population – official dataThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyEDB: wage growth to drive domestic demand in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityLatvia plans to extend enhanced border controls with BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus to launch civil aircraft production in four years – KrutojThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka meeting Oman's Sultan four days after arriving in MuscatThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja to visit Norway, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium this weekThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Economy, Politics, SecurityLithuania appeals to EU for help in returning trucks from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsExiled politician urges Europe not to build wall for BelarusiansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityLithuania reports a rise in irregular migration amid tensions with BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian general blames West for tensions, avoids underlying causesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security

