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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the release of Andrzej Poczobut, calling him an example of resilience and thanking everyone involved in securing his freedom.
“Andrzej Poczobut is free. This is a great joy for his family and for all of us who supported and waited for him. All this time he spent behind bars. More than five years simply because he did not abandon the truth and honestly wrote about what is happening in Belarus. And of course, his resilience, dignity and steadfastness have become an example for all of us who sincerely rejoice for Andrzej and his loved ones, who endured this difficult path. I know how much effort and waiting stand behind this. And of course, thanks to everyone who fought for his release, and above all to the leadership of Poland, the United States and our European partners. We remember everyone who is still behind bars. And we will continue until each of them is home with their families,” she said in a video address.
It is recalled that earlier today a 5-for-5 exchange took place at the Polish-Belarusian border. Three Polish citizens and two Moldovan citizens were handed over to Poland from Belarus. The KGB said they had been convicted of espionage in Belarus and Russia. Archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, who had been detained in Poland, was returned to Russia.
At the border, Poczobut was met by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who wrote that the first words of the former political prisoner were a question about the possibility of returning to Belarus.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki, commenting on Poczobut’s release, invited him to the presidential palace to present him with Poland’s highest award, the Order of the White Eagle, which the journalist was awarded in November last year.