Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut freed as a part of prisoners swap
Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, the 2025 Sakharov prize winner, has been free of Belarusian jail.
His launch has been confirmed by Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk, who posted an image of him on social media saying: “Andrzej Poczobut is free! Welcome to your Polish dwelling, my buddy.”
Detained by the Belarusian authorities in 2021, Poczobut was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony after a course of broadly condemned as politically motivated to silence critics. Lately there have been rising warnings about his deteriorating well being.
Awarding him the Sakharov prize in 2025, the European Parliament president Roberta Metsola hailed Poczobut and co-winner Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia as “two journalists whose braveness shines as a beacon for all who refuse to be silenced.”
“Each have paid a heavy value for talking reality to energy, turning into symbols of the battle for freedom and democracy.”
His launch comes as a part of a reported prisoners swap between Poland and Belarus; the small print of that are but to be reported or confirmed.
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Up to date at 07.31 EDT
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‘What are you getting out of this?,’ US requested Belarus when negotiating launch of prisoners
US particular envoy to Belarus John Coale gives a bit extra element of the discussions with Belarus’s Lukashenko.
“Principally an argument with Lukashenko is, what are you getting out of this? You’ve received these folks or this particular person in jail, and what are you actually getting out of this.
It doesn’t aid you, internationally, it hurts you, internationally, and if Belarus, needs to hitch the household of countries, this type of issues should cease. If you wish to put folks into jail for good cause, nice, that’s your online business, however not for these kind of crimes.”
Poland’s Sikorski provides that “the truth that we had folks to change helped, however it might not have occurred with out america.”
He says seven nations have been concerned within the course of in whole: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and Poland.
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Poczobut is image of dedication to free media, Poland’s overseas minister Sikorski says
Poland’s overseas minister Radosław Sikorski is talking at a press convention, responding to the information of Poczobut’s launch.
He says it’s a nice instance of the Polish-US alliance at work, crediting the US president, Donald Trump, and particular Belarus envoy John Coale.
“Poczobut shouldn’t be the one launched Pole, however everyone knows he’s a logo of dedication to Polishness and the liberty of the media and journalists.”
He says Poland will push for extra Polish political prisoners to be launched as he requires additional work on relations with and in direction of Belarus.
Talking alongside him, Coale equally says the US had been engaged on this concern for “a while” with “advanced negotiations” concerned, as stresses the position of the US president, Donald Trump, and the Polish president, Karol Nawrocki.
Sikorski confirms the method concerned “a prisoner’s change,” and says one of many folks launched by Poland was a Russian historian who was going through extradition to Ukraine.
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Up to date at 07.43 EDT
Earlier this month, in an article marking Poczobut’s 53rd birthday, Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza stated that he was “sentenced for allegedly inciting ethnic hatred and appearing to the detriment of Belarus,” however “in actuality, dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s males determined to punish Andrzej for being a defiant activist of the Polish minority and a steadfast, unbiased journalist.”
Individually, a UN-mandated report launched final month warned about “deeply alarming detention practices” in Belarus’s jail system, warning particularly that the Novopoltsk colony during which Poczobut was held noticed detainees “subjected to extended solidary confinement, disciplinary sanctions and bodily punishments after suicide makes an attempt” with reported “denial of important medical case and reprisals for trying to lift complaints.”
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Three Poles, two Moldovans launched as a part of US efforts, Trump’s envoy Coale says
The US particular envoy to Belarus, John Coale, has simply supplied a bit extra element on the operation, confirming that three Poles and two Moldovans have been launched because of US efforts.
“As we speak, in my position as President Trump’s Particular Envoy for Belarus, my workforce and I helped safe the discharge of three Poles and two Moldovans. This historic end result was made attainable because of @POTUS Trump’s management, @ChrisWelbySmith and his workforce @StateDept, and shut coordination with a number of trusted companions.
We thank Poland, Moldova, and Romania for his or her invaluable assist on this effort, in addition to President Lukashenka’s willingness to pursue constructive engagement with america.
Below President Trump, America reveals up for its allies and delivers diplomatic victories nobody else can.”
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‘Dictator launched our colleague from penal colony,’ Poland’s newspaper celebrates Poczobut’s launch
Poland’s every day file newspaper and longtime Poczobut employer, Gazeta Wyborcza, has welcomed the information of his launch with a splash:
double citation markAndrzej Poczobut lastly free! The [Belarusian] dictator has launched our colleague from the penal colony.
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Poczobut’s launch comes after talks with US particular envoy to Belarus
The information of Poczobut’s launch comes simply hours after Poland’s overseas minister, Radosław Sikorski, printed an image of his assembly with the US particular envoy to Belarus John Coale, saying secretly the pair mentioned “essential points.”
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Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut freed as a part of prisoners swap
Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, the 2025 Sakharov prize winner, has been free of Belarusian jail.
His launch has been confirmed by Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk, who posted an image of him on social media saying: “Andrzej Poczobut is free! Welcome to your Polish dwelling, my buddy.”
Detained by the Belarusian authorities in 2021, Poczobut was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony after a course of broadly condemned as politically motivated to silence critics. Lately there have been rising warnings about his deteriorating well being.
Awarding him the Sakharov prize in 2025, the European Parliament president Roberta Metsola hailed Poczobut and co-winner Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia as “two journalists whose braveness shines as a beacon for all who refuse to be silenced.”
“Each have paid a heavy value for talking reality to energy, turning into symbols of the battle for freedom and democracy.”
His launch comes as a part of a reported prisoners swap between Poland and Belarus; the small print of that are but to be reported or confirmed.
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Up to date at 07.31 EDT
Macron backs Andorra’s affiliation settlement with EU
Again to Andorra, Macron is now talking throughout a ceremonial sitting on the Casa de la Vall, the historic seat of the native parliament.
France’s President and Co-Prince of Andorra Emmanuel Macron (C-L) stands subsequent to Co-Prince of Andorra Josep-Lluis Serrano Pentinat (C-R) as he delivers a speech to members of the Common Council on the “Maison des Vallees” (Casa de la Vall) in Andorra la Vella. {Photograph}: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Photos
He speaks concerning the significance of taking a look at crises round us and rejecting “the temptation of withdrawal,” however as an alternative of looking for new partnership to strengthen itself, as he hails Andorra’s transition “from an agrarian economic system to a thriving service sector, however with out ever renouncing its roots.”
On Andorra’s relationship with the EU, he says he’s dedicated to creating that relationship nearer, as he says that “the European area is, in essence, Andorra’s pure area.”
He additionally particularly endorsed Andorra’s affiliation settlement with the EU at an earlier assembly with college students.
On different political points, he’s extra obscure, as he says he’s “conscious” of “ongoing debates,” and says that the nation’s establishments “should stay attentive to the on a regular basis expectations of Andorran residents,” referencing housing amongst different points.
However we’re more likely to hear from him once more later at present.
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Up to date at 07.04 EDT
‘Public secret’ that Iran conflict causes delays to inventory deliveries to Europe, Finland and Estonia’s leaders affirm
Individually, Finland’s Stubb confirms that Europe faces some delays in inventory deliveries from the US because of the Center East conflict.
He says:
“It’s a public secret that among the shares and delivered techniques within the US are both going elsewhere or being delayed. However I don’t see any want for alarm right here in Finland.”
Estonia’s Karis confirms this, too:
“We’re in a similar place within the sense I do know that there’s a delay – it’s most likely a query to our minister of defence what sort of missiles or ammunition we’re lacking – however so far as I do know, its [tactical ballistic missiles] Himars.
However it’s a sign that in Estonia and in Europe typically, we should always a lot a lot quicker develop our defence business, not counting on completely different nations on this planet.”
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Up to date at 06.00 EDT
‘Put together for the worst so you may keep away from it,’ Finnish president says as he performs down Tusk’s warnings about potential Russian assault in months
Within the meantime, let’s test in on what’s taking place in Helsinki the place Finland’s president Alexander Stubb – usually dubbed as Europe’s Trump whisperer due to his shut relationship with the US president – is internet hosting his Estonian counterpart Alar Karis.
Estonia’s President Alar Karis (L) and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb handle a press convention throughout Karis’ state go to to Finland, on the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland. {Photograph}: Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva/AFP/Getty Photos
The leaders are going through questions on Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk’s feedback within the FT from late final week (£), suggesting {that a} Russian assault on some Nato nations in Europe might are available in months, not years.
But it surely’s most likely honest to say they’re each not solely satisfied by Tusk’s alarmist claims.
Finland’s Stubb says:
“We work on completely different kind of situations, however I come again to the keep cool, calm, and picked up [message]. I don’t see an incentive for Russia to check Nato’s Article 5.
There will probably be at all times hybrid assessments, I don’t deny that. However should you have a look at the japanese flank, ranging from north-east, north-eastern Scandinavia, Norway, Finland, the Baltic states, Poland, then right down to Ukraine, I don’t suppose there will probably be a take a look at.”
He then says the People “are telling us it’s for Europe to take extra duty for our personal defence” and to shift standard forces burden sharing from “60-40 US Europe to most likely extra nearer to 50-50.”
“The place then it’s going to finish up, we don’t know. However I do suppose it’s a very good factor that many different European nations are actually beginning to spend adequate quantities on their defence,” he says.
He says European nations ought to draw a lesson from “the Finnish mentality: don’t faff an excessive amount of about what may occur; put together for the worst so you may keep away from it.”
Karis provides:
“I’m just about satisfied that the US presence in Europe is as essential for the US as [is for us as] properly. So we should always work on it ensure that the troops stay on the bottom on the similar time we should always put extra money on defence in Europe.”
On Tusk’s warnings, he says:
“These concepts that who’s subsequent, Estonia’s subsequent, or the Baltics are subsequent, or Finland is subsequent… these narratives come and go, it’s not the primary time … it is a tactic of the Russian Federation to make us a bit anxious however we should always keep calm because it’s for an quite common the Nordic folks.”
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Simply checking in on Macron in Andorra, simply have a look at how completely happy he’s there!
France’s President and Co-Prince of Andorra Emmanuel Macron (C) poses with college students and academics at a college in Santa Coloma, on the second day of his go to to the microstate of Andorra. {Photograph}: Valentine Chapuis/AFP/Getty PhotosFrance’s President and Co-Prince of Andorra Emmanuel Macron meets with college students at a college in Santa Coloma, on the second day of his go to to the microstate of Andorra. {Photograph}: Valentine Chapuis/EPA
I keep watch over his go to there, however to this point the ceremonial half principally entails strolling round (the gorgeous) Andorra and high-fiving folks.
His speech is anticipated later at present
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Up to date at 06.41 EDT
Gunman opens fireplace at two areas in Athens, leaving at the least 5 folks injured
I’m additionally keeping track of an incident in Athens the place a gunman – recognized domestically as an 89-year previous man – opened fireplace at a social safety workplace and a courthouse within the metropolis centre.
At the very least 5 individuals are reported to have suffered minor accidents.
State broadcaster ERT stated that the gunman – who stays at massive – had reportedly thrown envelopes with paperwork on to the ground after the capturing on the courthouse, saying these have been the explanations for his actions, AP reported.
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Up to date at 05.27 EDT
Media freedom ‘underneath sustained assault’ throughout EU as public belief drops, report finds
Jon Henley
Europe correspondent
Journalists within the EU face rising ranges of harassment, threats and violence, whereas information retailers are owned by a shrinking variety of proprietors and public belief within the media has plummeted, a report has discovered.
The Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) stated the findings of its fifth annual media freedom report, launched on Tuesday, ought to place EU officers “on excessive alert”, with media freedom and pluralism “underneath sustained assault” throughout mainland Europe.
Europe’s main civil liberties group additionally warned public media independence was being steadily eroded by political interference and price range cuts, and journalists have been being more and more hampered by restrictions on free expression and entry to data.
“A wholesome, pluralistic media system is a litmus take a look at and mirror of democracy,” stated Eva Simon, Liberties’ senior advocacy officer. “The place the rule of legislation weakens – by deliberate authorities motion or neglect – media freedom is undermined.”
Journalist security particularly reached what the report known as “a disaster level” in Europe in 2025, with reporters and media employees going through “excessive bodily violence and systemic authorized harassment”, together with bomb assaults concentrating on investigative reporters.
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As we look forward to Macron’s speech, let’s convey you another information from round Europe.
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In the meantime, Macron is visiting the Andorran main college in Santa Coloma and completely loving spending his time with youngsters, fortunately posing to footage with the Andorran flags.
Final week, he steered he would give up politics on the finish of his time period in Could subsequent yr, and so we should always count on to see extra of this kind of legacy-building journeys and interventions as he enters the ultimate yr in workplace.
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Morning opening: Co-prince Macron visits Andorra
Jakub Krupa
France’s president Emmanuel Macron is in Andorra, performing his duties because the state’s co-prince, alongside the Catholic Bishop of Urgell, Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat.
France’s president and Andorra’s co-prince Emmanuel Macron arrives as he’s welcomed by the second co-prince Josep-Lluis Serrano Pentinat (R), forward of a dinner in Andorra. {Photograph}: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Photos
That in itself could possibly be at finest a factoid on your subsequent politics geek pub quiz, however – as briefly lined in yesterday’s Europe Stay – there’s a critical aspect to it as his go to comes at a time of coverage debate on abortion within the nation, which continues to have among the most restrictive legal guidelines in Europe.
Radio France Worldwide reported that Andorra’s prime minister Xavier Espot Zamora has “indicated he hopes to decriminalise abortion inside a yr, although not essentially legalise it,” however the microstate’s governance setup involving a Catholic bishop makes it tough.
Throughout at present’s speech as Andorra’s co-prince, Macron is anticipated to talk frankly concerning the concern and again the adjustments, in addition to endorse plans for Andorra to ratify its affiliation settlement with the European Union, which could possibly be completed as early as in July.
Final night time, Macron raised a toast “from coronary heart” to have fun Andorra’s distinctive historical past and worldwide place, with political talks solely happening behind the closed doorways, however at present we should always hear extra.
Andorra’s public broadcaster RTVA reported on Monday that Macron confirmed that abortion would characteristic in his speech, with the Catholic co-prince conceding that “we should transfer ahead with out breaking the institutional seams.” Let’s see what which means.
I’ll convey you the important thing traces from Macron’s speech later.
Individually, the European Parliament is anticipated to debate the following EU price range, and the European Fee to speak about reforming its regulatory setting.
Once more, I’ll keep watch over this for you.
It’s Tuesday, 28 April 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Stay.
Good morning.
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