Trump on Andrzej Poczobut's release: 'The result of my and Karol Nawrocki's efforts'

The release of Andrzej Poczobut, a prominent journalist and leader of the Polish minority in Belarus, marks a significant moment, not only for him and his family but also for the broader struggle for freedom of expression and minority rights within Belarus. His liberation, facilitated through a prisoner exchange involving Poland and Belarus, is a testament to sustained diplomatic efforts and international pressure.

Donald Trump's public acknowledgment of his role, alongside Polish President Karol Nawrocki, in Poczobut's release highlights the international dimension of this case. Trump's statement on his Truth Social platform, expressing gratitude to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko for his "cooperation and friendship," adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, underscoring the intricate geopolitical maneuvering involved in such exchanges.

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Mój przyjaciel, prezydent Polski Karol Nawrocki, spotkał się ze mną we wrześniu ubiegłego roku i poprosił mnie o pomoc w uwolnieniu Andrzeja Poczobuta z białoruskiego więzienia. Dziś Poczobut jest wolny dzięki naszym wysiłkom. Stany Zjednoczone działają na rzecz naszych sojuszników i przyjaciół

Poczobut's long ordeal, spanning over five years in various Belarusian prisons and colonies, has made him a symbol of the repression faced by independent journalism and ethnic minorities under Lukashenko's regime. His sentencing to eight years in a high-security penal colony for alleged "incitement of hatred" and "activities detrimental to state stability" was widely seen as politically motivated, aimed at silencing dissent.

From the perspective of Rzeczpospolita, Poczobut's case is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who dare to speak out against authoritarianism. While Western media often covers such stories through the lens of human rights and democracy, for us in Poland, it is also a matter of national solidarity and the protection of our compatriots abroad. Poczobut's freedom is a victory, but the fight for a free and democratic Belarus continues.

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Prezydent USA podziękował także przywódcy Białorusi Aleksandrowi Łukaszence "za współpracę i przyjaźń”. Dodał też, że to "takie miłe".