GBAF Logo
Finance

Belarus releases Polish-Belarusian journalist as part of prisoner exchange

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 28, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 28, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia's Tula region - Global Banking & Finance Review
Image depicting the aftermath of Ukrainian drone strikes in Tula and Nizhny Novgorod regions, highlighting the ongoing conflict and its impact on civilians. Relevant to recent drone attacks targeting industrial sites in Russia.
Finance Eastern Europe Geopolitics
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

Belarus Frees Polish-Belarusian Journalist Andrzej Poczobut in Border Exchange

Details of the Prisoner Exchange and Political Context

Release of Andrzej Poczobut

WARSAW, April 28 (Reuters) - Belarus has released Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday, as the two countries conducted a prisoner exchange at their border.

Prime Minister's Statement

"Andrzej Poczobut is free! Welcome to your Polish home, my friend," Tusk wrote on social media platform X, posting a picture of himself with the journalist of Polish origin.

Details of the Prisoner Exchange

Belarus and Poland were carrying out a five‑for‑five prisoner exchange at their shared border, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported earlier on Tuesday.

Background on Andrzej Poczobut's Imprisonment

Arrest and Sentencing

Poczobut was arrested in March 2021 and sentenced to eight years in prison in 2023 on charges of inciting ethnic hostility and undermining Belarusian security.

Poland's Response

Poland says the charges against him are unjust and politically motivated.

Broader Political Context

Poland as a Refuge for Belarusian Opponents

Poland has been an important refuge for opponents of authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Support for Ukraine

Poland has also become one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine since Russia, Minsk's main ally, launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

(Reporting by Pawel Florkiewicz and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by)

Key Takeaways

  • Andrzej Poczobut, a correspondent for Gazeta Wyborcza and activist of Belarus's Polish minority, was released on April 28, 2026, after over five years in detention on charges widely seen as politically motivated (apnews.com).
  • The release occurred during a “five‑for‑five” prisoner swap at the Belarus–Poland border, involving the exchange of five individuals convicted of espionage in Belarus and Russia for five EU‑detained citizens (nashaniva.com).
  • Poczobut had been arrested on March 25, 2021, and sentenced to eight years for charges such as inciting hostility and harming national security; his case garnered international support, including a 2025 Sakharov Prize (en.wikipedia.org).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was released by Belarus in the recent prisoner exchange?
Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut was released by Belarus as part of a prisoner exchange with Poland.
Why was Andrzej Poczobut imprisoned in Belarus?
Andrzej Poczobut was arrested in March 2021 and later sentenced to eight years for charges Belarus said included inciting ethnic hostility and undermining security.
How many prisoners were exchanged between Belarus and Poland?
A five-for-five prisoner exchange took place at the Belarus-Poland border.
What is Poland’s stance on the charges against Andrzej Poczobut?
Poland claims the charges against Poczobut are unjust and politically motivated.

Tags

Related Articles

Image for Explainer-How does the EU decide and fund its long-term budget?

Explainer-How does the EU decide and fund its long-term budget?

Image for Norway wealth fund CEO warns just using AI for job cuts risks backlash

Norway wealth fund CEO warns just using AI for job cuts risks backlash

Image for EssilorLuxottica considered investing in Amplifon in the past, CEO says

EssilorLuxottica considered investing in Amplifon in the past, CEO says

Image for UAE leaves OPEC and OPEC+ in huge blow to global oil producers' group

UAE leaves OPEC and OPEC+ in huge blow to global oil producers' group

Image for Factbox-How does the EU plan to raise money for its next long-term budget?

Factbox-How does the EU plan to raise money for its next long-term budget?

Image for EU Parliament backs bigger long-term budget, setting up clash with governments

EU Parliament backs bigger long-term budget, setting up clash with governments

More from Finance

Explore more articles in the Finance category

Image for Canadian PM invited to attend European Political Community summit in May
Canadian PM invited to attend European Political Community summit in May
Image for Bloxley Partners with Equals Money | Railsr to Power European Financial Infrastructure
Bloxley Partners with Equals Money | Railsr to Power European Financial Infrastructure
Image for Standard Chartered, BlackRock, OKX launch collateral framework for tokenised Treasury fund
Standard Chartered, BlackRock, OKX launch collateral framework for tokenised Treasury fund
Image for Global inflation worries stir on energy price flare-up, but still relatively subdued: Reuters poll
Global inflation worries stir on energy price flare-up, but still relatively subdued: Reuters poll
Image for Interpolitan Money brings cross-border capital infrastructure to GIFT City
Interpolitan Money brings cross-border capital infrastructure to GIFT City
Image for Global regulators trail banks in AI as Mythos raises oversight concerns, report finds
Global regulators trail banks in AI as Mythos raises oversight concerns, report finds
Image for Britain challenges court decision that Palestine Action ban was unlawful
Britain challenges court decision that Palestine Action ban was unlawful
Image for Hungary's central bank keeps rates on hold, wary of risks
Hungary's central bank keeps rates on hold, wary of risks
Image for Bertelsmann merges firms behind Kylie Minogue, Miles Davis to create world's No.4 music group
Bertelsmann merges firms behind Kylie Minogue, Miles Davis to create world's No.4 music group
Image for Swiss finance minister says lawmakers fear UBS pressure over banking rules
Swiss finance minister says lawmakers fear UBS pressure over banking rules
Image for Delfin board unanimously backed Lovaglio's return as MPS CEO, Chairman Milleri says
Delfin board unanimously backed Lovaglio's return as MPS CEO, Chairman Milleri says
Image for Coal miner JSW reports narrower 2025 loss as restructuring continues
Coal miner JSW reports narrower 2025 loss as restructuring continues
View All Finance Posts