In Strasbourg, a ceremony honoring Andrzej Poczobut with the Sakharov Prize was held. His daughter received the award

Yana Poczobut

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola noted at the beginning of the ceremony that European democracy is based on freedom of thought and expression, "we know how valuable these principles are, and we will never abandon them."

"Free and independent media are a key element in bringing these values to life. That is why it is so symbolic that this year's award is given to two journalists who risk everything to expose threats to democracy in their countries," she emphasized.

"Democracy cannot be silenced. And although today Andrzej and Mzia cannot be with us, their persistent call for democracy resonates in this chamber and throughout our Europe. Parliament expresses solidarity with Andrzej and Mzia in their struggle. We demand their immediate release, as well as the release of all unjustly imprisoned. Our resolve will match the courage of those unjustly behind bars and those who continue to suffer in captivity. We will not stop the pressure until everyone is free. We will not forget them. We will never abandon them until the era of dictators ends. Until Belarus is finally free. The European Parliament sees what is happening in Belarus and Georgia. (...) We will continue to speak out in defense of Andrzej, Mzia, and all those who yearn for freedom," Roberta Metsola stated.

Yana Poczobut reminded in her speech that "for almost five years now we have been living in silence, uncertainty, and without the person we love."

"Behind every name in the reports stands a home, a story, and people waiting. My father is not just a public figure. He is a husband, a son, a friend. And for each of these five years, we didn't know how he was, or if he was safe. But every day we choose hope, because hope is the only thing that hasn't been taken from us. And my family is not alone," said the daughter of the Belarusian journalist. "There are many families whose stories echo ours. Among them is the story of Mikalai Statkevich, who disappeared without any information, without contact, without answers. His family wakes up every morning with the same fear and the same hope that we know so well. I mention his name today not as a political statement, but as a reminder that behind every silence stands a human life and a family that has the right to know the truth. When we say these names aloud, they stop being statistics. They become real again."

Yana Poczobut also addressed this year's other Sakharov Prize laureate, Mzia Amaglobeli: "Mzia, although you cannot be here today because you are currently imprisoned, your courage is in this hall. Your dignity, your dedication, and your strength are inspiring. Your story reminds us that the fight for human rights is universal.

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L.S/Belta AFP & Z.T/Netgazeti

It does not belong to one country. Standing in this hall, I think of families in different countries who live in uncertainty or are separated. Of families waiting for news that doesn't come. Of families trying to hold onto hope, even when it seems to disappear. My own family has changed forever. The absence of my father is something we have learned to live with, but not accepted. (...) And although he cannot see this hall today, I hope he knows: he has not been forgotten.'"

Andrzej Poczobut was detained on March 25, 2021, and accused of calling for actions aimed at harming national security and inciting racial, national, religious, or other social hatred. On February 8, 2023, the journalist was sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony. He is serving his sentence in penal colony No. 1 in Navapolatsk.

Georgian journalist and founder of the "Batumelebi" publishing house, Mzia Amaglobeli, was arrested on January 11, 2025, during the government's crackdown on pro-democracy protests, on disproportionate charges of assaulting a police officer after an altercation with the police chief in Batumi. During the trial, her charges were reclassified.

As a result, the journalist was found guilty of resistance, threat, or violence against a public official and sentenced to two years of imprisonment.

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