Kenneth Glad
For years, his case seemed stuck. Then, without much warning, a breakthrough came.
A detained journalist at the centre of a long-running dispute between Belarus and the West has been released, following negotiations that quietly gathered momentum behind the scenes.
Andrzej Poczobut’s release appears to have been secured through a negotiated arrangement involving Poland and Belarus, with US officials playing a supporting role, according to The Guardian. The exact terms have not been made public.
What stands out is Washington’s involvement. Even limited cooperation on cases like this is unusual given the strained relationship with Minsk, suggesting a pragmatic, case-by-case approach rather than any broader thaw.
US envoy John Coale said talks had been underway for “some time” and called them “complex,” hinting at the layers of diplomacy required.
A contested case
Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist, was arrested in 2021 and later sentenced to eight years in prison. Earlier coverage indicated that the accusations against him, including claims of inciting ethnic hatred, were widely seen outside Belarus as a pretext to curb independent reporting.
His detention became one of the more visible examples of pressure on journalists and minority activists in the country.
Confirmation of his release came from Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk, who wrote: “Andrzej Poczobut is free! Welcome to your Polish home, my friend.”
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Why it matters
For Poland, the case carried both political and symbolic weight. Foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said: “Poczobut is not the only released Pole, but we all know he is a symbol of commitment to Polishness and the freedom of the media and journalists.”
Recognition had already come at the European level. In 2025, Poczobut received the Sakharov prize, with Roberta Metsola describing him as one of “Two journalists whose courage shines as a beacon for all who refuse to be silenced,” while noting the personal cost involved.
The broader backdrop remains troubling. A recent UN-linked report described harsh prison conditions in Belarus, including isolation measures and limited medical access.
His release closes one chapter. It does not resolve the wider issue. Others remain behind bars, and whether similar deals can be reached again is far from certain.
Sources: The Guardian, United Nations report, Donald Tusk post on X
