In a joint meeting of the European Parliament's AFET, DROI, and DEVE committees on 15 June 2026, MEPs welcomed 2025 Sakharov Prize co-laureate Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist freed after five years of imprisonment. Poczobut described Belarus as a totalitarian state where Polish-language education is banned and the Union of Poles is illegal, stressing that his case reflects the broader plight of political prisoners, including co-laureate Mzia Amaglobeli still jailed in Georgia. MEPs from across political groups praised his courage and resilience, while several questioned the effectiveness of EU sanctions or dialogue with the Lukashenko regime. Poczobut declined to prescribe policy, stating that politics should be judged by results: dialogue is worthwhile if it frees prisoners, but he noted that releases often coincide with new arrests. He confirmed plans to return to Belarus in September for the Union of Poles assembly, citing responsibility to those who stayed. On optimism, he said no serious change is possible while the war in Ukraine continues, but he hopes for a window of opportunity after it ends. MEPs also raised concerns about Polish journalist Leszek Kraszkowski arrested in Poland, urging consistency in defending press freedom.
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