Prisoner exchange with Belarus. Polish activist free

As a result of joint efforts by Poland and the United States, a prisoner exchange was organised on the Polish-Belarusian border on April 28. Among those freed was Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist, Polish minority activist, and opposition figure. He had repeatedly criticised the policies of Alyaksandr Lukashenka and had been arrested multiple times by Belarusian security services. His most recent arrest occurred in March 2021, after which he was held in custody. In February 2023, a Belarusian court sentenced him to eight years in a high-security penal colony for “inciting hatred” and “calling for actions against state security.”

The exchange took place at the closed Białowieża–Piererow border crossing between Poland and Belarus. A significant role in organising the exchange was reportedly played by Donald Trump’s envoy for Belarus, John Coale. The American announced on the X platform that he and his team had managed to secure the release of three Poles and two Moldovans.

While Poczobut’s release is very good news, in reality, Poland’s direct contribution to securing his freedom was likely quite limited. The recent releases of political prisoners are primarily the result of efforts by the U.S. administration. Consequently, Poland can expect appeals from Washington encouraging it to improve relations with Lukashenka—similar to those directed at Lithuania in March. The United States lifted sanctions on the export of Belarusian potash fertilisers and has since urged Lithuania to engage in dialogue with the dictator to facilitate the transport of this commodity to the West.