Former political prisoner Andrzej Poczobut (Andrei Pachobut), a journalist and activist of the Polish minority in Belarus, has been awarded the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state decoration. The ceremony took place at the Royal Castle in Warsaw on the National Day of May 3.
The order was awarded to Poczobut on November 11, 2025, Poland’s Independence Day, but it was only presented after the journalist’s release. The award was granted “in recognition of outstanding merits in activities for the benefit of Poles in Belarus, in particular for the fight for human rights and an unwavering stance in the face of resurgent totalitarian regimes”.
In addition to Poczobut, the Order of the White Eagle was awarded on the same day to conductor Agnieszka Duczmal-Jaroszewska, public figure Hanna Lukowska-Karniej, and film director Lech Majewski, the Polish president’s office reported.
The Order of the White Eagle is the oldest and highest state decoration of Poland. It is awarded for outstanding civil and military merits in service to the Republic of Poland, both in peacetime and wartime. The order is conferred on the most distinguished Poles and high-ranking representatives of foreign states.
In February 2023, Andrzej Poczobut was sentenced to eight years in a high-security penal colony. The trial was held behind closed doors. He was found guilty of inciting hatred and calling for sanctions. He was released on April 28 as part of a 5-for-5 exchange.
