The Ministry emphasized the sacrifices of those who have "paid with their personal freedom for upholding the mission of journalism."
Andrzej Poczobut honoured by Polish FM on diaspora day
One of the many individuals persecuted for defending free speech is Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist imprisoned by the Lukashenko regime and a prominent representative of the Polish minority in Belarus.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski paid tribute to him in a speech marking the Day of Polonia and Poles Abroad, observed annually on 2 May.
The head of Polish diplomacy praised Poczobut’s courage and steadfast commitment to national identity in the face of repression. Quoting him -“We don’t choose the times we live in, but we choose how we live”- the minister highlighted the sacrifices made by Poles abroad in upholding their heritage and democratic values.
Belarusian journalist sentenced in absentia to 18 years
As reported on Saturday by IAR, the news agency of Poland’s national broadcaster Polish Radio, opposition Belarusian journalist Siergej Biespałow has been sentenced in absentia to 18 years in prison for his coverage of the 2020 post-election protests in Belarus.
The trial, held behind closed doors in Minsk, resulted in a conviction confirmed by the Belarusian human rights group Viasna on X (formerly Twitter).
Biespałow, who has lived in Poland for the past three years, was charged with extremism, attempting to seize state power, and insulting President Alexander Lukashenko.
Diplomats from around the world marked the occasion of May 3rd’s celebrations, expressing through social media that press freedom matters everywhere and in every language.
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Source: X/@PolandMFA/@MSZ_RP/@viasna96/@ukinhungary/@Marekwalkuski