Honoring Courage: Andrzej Poczobut Receives the 2025 Sakharov Prize
Andrzej Poczobut, a Belarusian journalist and representative of the Union of Poles in Belarus, was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought during a poignant ceremony in Strasbourg in December 2025. This award, aimed at recognizing those who stand for human rights and democratic values, took on a deep political significance especially as Poczobut was unable to attend the previous year’s ceremony due to his imprisonment in Belarus.
Poczobut, who had been incarcerated since 2021 for his unwavering commitment to defending Polish culture and language, was released in April 2026. As he accepted the prestigious award from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Poczobut’s speech not only reflected on his experiences but also served as a rallying cry for the 854 political prisoners still languishing in Belarusian jails, including 21 journalists. His recognition was a reminder not only of his personal bravery but also of the continuous struggle faced by many in Belarus under the regime of President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Roberta Metsola, in her introduction of Poczobut, emphasized that receiving the Sakharov Prize was not merely an acknowledgment of his courage, but also of the values he maintained during his incarceration. She expressed hope that his release symbolizes a commitment from Europe to confront authoritarianism wherever it emerges. Poczobut’s presence in the European Parliament as a “free man” contrasted starkly with the many who remain imprisoned for expressing dissent, establishing a powerful political discourse on the existing climate of fear in Belarus.
During a joint press point that followed the ceremony, Metsola expressed firm solidarity with those still confined, asserting that the Parliament sees and hears them. Poczobut echoed these sentiments by recounting how the European Parliament’s voice was a flicker of hope even within prison walls. He described learning about the award from inside his cell, stating the acknowledgment from European leaders had positively affected the behavior of prison guards, emphasizing the far-reaching influence of international attention on human rights issues.
Poczobut brought to light the systematic persecution of the Polish minority in Belarus, framing it within a broader context of an “anti-European crusade” led by the Lukashenko regime for decades. He articulated the significant curtailments on freedom of expression and press freedoms, with authoritarian crackdowns targeting critical international correspondents and censoring dissenting voices on social media platforms.
Highlighting the ongoing plight of Belarus’s political prisoners, including journalists, Poczobut connected their struggles to a global rise in authoritarianism. His call for immediate release of his fellow Sakharov Prize recipient, Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, underscored the solidarity between oppressed journalists in different nations.
"The situation in Belarus is exceedingly grave," Poczobut declared, emphasizing the importance of a long-term commitment to democracy and human rights promotion. He advocated for active support of civil initiatives in authoritarian states and the crucial need for independent press as pathways to a united Europe that includes Belarus—both geographically and symbolically.
When asked what the European Union could do for political prisoners in Belarus, Poczobut stressed the need for ongoing solidarity and persistent diplomatic pressure. Metsola reinforced this, recalling that for years, the European Parliament has urged a return to democracy in Belarus and the immediate release of political detainees.
The Sakharov Prize is named after the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov. Since its inception in 1988, the European Parliament has awarded this prize annually to individuals or groups advocating for human rights and democratic freedoms. The importance of this award lies in its ability to maintain focus on those fighting for justice, serving as a beacon of hope for countless individuals who risk everything for freedom and truth.
