Imprisoned Journalists Honored with EU's Sakharov Prize for Defending Freedom

Imprisoned journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli have been awarded the EU's 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. They are recognized for their bravery in standing up against injustice, highlighting the ongoing struggle for human rights and democracy.

In a significant acknowledgment of bravery and perseverance in the battle for human rights, the European Union has awarded the prestigious 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to imprisoned journalists Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia. The announcement was made by EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

Poczobut has endured imprisonment since March 2021 and was sentenced to eight years in 2023 on charges that Poland described as politically motivated. Amaglobeli received a two-year sentence after a protest-related incident caught on video. The Committee to Protect Journalists criticized both sentences as unjust.

This accolade, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is a hallmark of recognition for those who champion human rights. Past awardees include figures such as Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai. Poczobut and Amaglobeli join this esteemed list as symbols of the ongoing struggle for freedom and democracy.