Belarus Releases Journalist Andrzej Poczobut in 10-Person Prisoner Swap with Poland
Belarus has released prominent journalist Andrzej Poczobut as part of a 10-person prisoner swap with Poland. Poczobut, a correspondent for the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, was serving an eight-year sentence in Belarus, which was widely criticized as politically motivated. His arrest in 2021 followed his coverage of pro-democracy rallies in Belarus. The swap, which involved intelligence services from seven countries, is seen as an effort by Belarus to improve relations with the West. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed Poczobut at the border, emphasizing his symbolic role in the fight for freedom in Belarus. The release is part of a broader trend of U.S.-negotiated prisoner exchanges during President Trump's second term, aimed at strengthening ties between Minsk and Western nations. 
