The Polish-Belarusian publicist and social activist Andrzej Poczobut has been awarded the title of honorary citizen of Sopot. The decision was made unanimously at a city council meeting on Thursday, May 28, at the initiative of the city’s mayor, Magdalena Czajczyńska-Jachim.
The councilors emphasized that it is a great honor for Sopot to bestow this title upon Poczobut. Although Jakub Swiderki, a representative of the Law and Justice party, initially had doubts, he ultimately supported the decision
According to the mayor, she personally discussed the awarding of the title with Poczobut
— He was touched and said that he did not deserve this. But for us, Andrzej Poczobut is a great moral authority. He is someone from whom we should learn loyalty to our values, — noted Czajczyńska-Jachim.
Andrzej Poczobut jest znanym dziennikarzem i działaczem polskiej mniejszości na Białorusi. Od pięciu lat przebywa w więzieniu o zaostrzonym rygorze na podstawie sprawy wszczętej przez białoruskie władze pod rządami Aleksandra Łukaszenki. Oskarżono go o krytykę reżimu, pielęgnowanie polskiej tożsamości oraz rzekome angażowanie się w działalność antypaństwową.
At the end of April this year, Poczobut was released as part of an intergovernmental prisoner exchange and returned to Poland. He is currently in Tricity with his wife, where he is recovering from his experiences
