{"id":202003,"date":"2026-09-01T14:18:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T11:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/202003\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T14:18:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T11:18:52","slug":"polish-official-warns-pacobut-against-returning-to-belarus","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/202003\/","title":{"rendered":"Polish official warns Pa\u010dobut against returning to Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Poczobut in Olsztyn in Poland\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (radioolsztyn.pl)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

September 1, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Belarusian journalist and prominent Polish minority activist Andrej Pa\u010dobut (Andrzej Poczobut) would face a huge risk should he return to Belarus, Deputy Interior Minister Czes\u0142aw Mroczek has told RMF FM<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official said he respected Pa\u010dobut\u2019s personal decision to go back to Belarus after his early release from prison there but acknowledged that his return would put Poland in a difficult position in its relations with the regime in Minsk. After many years in prison, Pa\u010dobut risks ending up there again, while Warsaw considers itself obliged to protect him, Mroczek added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deputy minister stressed that Poland would continue to protect the interests of Poles living in Belarus and make respect for human and civil rights a priority in its relations with Minsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His comment comes a few days after Pa\u010dobut vowed to return to Belarus despite the risk of politically-motivated persecution. The journalist made this statement just four months after his release from prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pa\u010dobut, known as a contributor to Gazeta Wyborcza<\/em>, was arrested in March 2021 on what was widely believed trumped-up charges. In February 2023, Judge D\u017amitryj Bubien\u010dyk of the Hrodna Regional Court sentenced him to eight years in prison after finding him guilty of inciting hatred and calling for sanctions. Human rights defenders recognized him as a political prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian authorities freed Pa\u010dobut on April 28, 2026 and deported him to Poland. The release came after John Coale, the US special envoy for Belarus, met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Foreign Minister Rados\u0142aw Sikorski in Warsaw on April 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On May 3, Nawrocki presented Pa\u010dobut with Poland\u2019s highest state award, the Order of the White Eagle. In 2025, the European Parliament granted him the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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