Former political prisoner and journalist Andrzej Poczobut has returned to Belarus. According to Gazeta Wyborcza, he crossed the Polish-Belarusian border before noon today and headed to Hrodna.
Poczobut plans to meet with his family and fellow members of the Union of Poles in Belarus. The trip is expected to last a week.
After being released in April 2026 as part of a prisoner exchange, Andrzej Poczobut repeatedly said he intended to return to Belarus. When he was released, he was given a Belarusian passport and assurances that he would be able to return to the country.
Belarusian journalist of Polish origin Andrzej Poczobut was detained in March 2021. In February 2023, he was sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of inciting hatred and calling for sanctions. In April 2026, the journalist was released as part of a “5-for-5” exchange and transferred to Poland.
