"As long as I am in Belarus, I am able to defend the Union of Poles." Poczobut explained why he wants to return to Belarus

Andrzej Poczobut. Photo: x.com / poczobut

— The essence of the matter is that my so-called criminal case, all this [that happened to me] — it's not just about me in all of this, — said Poczobut.

— It's about the Union of Poles, it's about Poles, it's about the Polish minority in Belarus. I am needed there.

— And how will you help? — asked journalist Arleta Bojke.

— I ask you to pay attention to the fact that out of all [public non-governmental] organizations that operated in Belarus [before the start of mass repressions], only the Union of Poles survived. Why? Because people did not leave, but stayed, the leadership remained. Anzhelika [Borys, ex-head of the Union of Poles] and I refused to leave while being behind bars; other members refused to leave and did not succumb to repressions while being there. That is, if there are people there who are ready to sacrifice their freedom in the name of this organization existing and being able to operate, it yields results. That's how it should be understood. One should not look at my case only through the prism of my personal fate.

— And what if you end up behind bars again?

— Again, this is a look at the situation from the point of view of my personal fate. But if you look at the matter in the context of the Polish minority, the Union of Poles in Belarus, and so on... I am firmly convinced that because I am known in Poland, in the world, I have greater protection in Belarus. They can afford less against me than against our rank-and-file members, especially those who work "on the ground." And as long as I am in Belarus – regardless of whether I am behind bars or not – I am able to defend the Union of Poles.

— And can you explain to those who don't understand what you want to do there? Do you think something can be done under the current regime, which is even harsher now than when you were imprisoned?

— I've already said, it [my presence] has already worked, because the Union of Poles exists. Nothing, no other structure survived, and this was precisely the result of us being behind bars. The Union of Poles did not cease its activities for a single day, disregarding all these repressions. Yes, they were limited. There were, say, 8,000 children who studied in school [in Polish] — now, maybe a thousand, maybe less, accurate data can be found.

But these children learn Polish. This is the only opportunity now in Belarus to learn Polish. The Polish minority might face a repeat of the situation that existed before 1988 in these territories – when there was absolutely no study of the Polish language, nothing at all. <…>

Everyone is intimidated. If we had left in 2021, believe me, there would be no organization, nothing would be left. But this way, it exists. Even if limited, it's not the same activity as before 2020. Red lines have been drawn around the Union, and God forbid you cross them – repressions may follow. There is an understanding of this balance, of such a difficult situation.

My presence there is needed by all those people who consciously take risks, and the fact that I was imprisoned also gave them support – the fact that I don't give up, and they shouldn't either.

I believe that this will work on such a principle. And if I am arrested, there will be much more attention to this story than to local activists. Furthermore, I am morally and mentally prepared for what may await me, whereas a person without such experience is in a more difficult situation.

— And during all these five years behind bars, were you ever close to giving up?

— Absolutely not, no-no. There was never such a thing, even in the most difficult situations. I was, rather, in a situation where I thought my health wouldn't hold up and that I might die. That I might not get out of prison. Such thoughts were there, but giving up – no.

On April 28, 2026, a prisoner exchange took place on the Polish-Belarusian border according to the "five for five" formula. Among those released from the Belarusian colony was journalist and Polish minority activist Andrzej Poczobut. He immediately declared his desire to return to Belarus.

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