Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought awarded to Belarusian and Georgian journalists jailed for doing their job

Brussels – The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought celebrates people and organisations that defend freedom and democracy worldwide. The European Parliament awarded it this year to Andrzej Poczobut, a Belarusian journalist, and Mzia Amaglobeli, a Georgian. The prize was presented by the European Parliament.

“Andrzej and Mzia cannot be here with us today to receive recognition for their achievements and courage,” said President Roberta Metsola in her speech at the award ceremony. Instead, they are in prison simply for doing their work, denouncing injustice and persecution. 

The other finalists were also present at the ceremony: Serbian students, the Red Crescent, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and the Palestinian Journalists’ Union, representing journalists and aid workers. 

Metsola explained that the prize to Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli “was awarded in recognition of their courageous fight for democracy on behalf of the peoples of Belarus and Georgia. Our European democracy is based on freedom of thought and expression. We know how valuable these values are. And we will never abandon them.”

For the President of the European Parliament, “free and independent media are crucial to put these values into practice. That is why it is so appropriate that this year’s prize goes to two journalists who are risking everything to expose threats to democracy in their two countries.”

Andrzej Poczobut spent years denouncing the oppressive regime in Belarus and defending the Polish minority in that country. He was arrested in 2021. Since then, he has been locked up in solitary confinement in a concrete cage and denied any contact with the outside world. Mzia Amaglobeli worked for decades to expose corruption and human rights violations in Georgia. She was arrested in January this year during the democratic protests.

“Although they cannot be with us today, Andrzej and Mzia’s urgent calls for democracy resonate clearly in this Chamber and across our continent,” Metsola said. “This Chamber stands in solidarity with Andrzej and Mzia in their struggle. We demand their immediate release along with that of all those unjustly imprisoned. Our determination will match the courage of those unjustly imprisoned and those who continue to suffer behind bars. We will continue to exert pressure until everyone is free. We will not forget them, we will never abandon them.“