2025 Sakharov Prize
The 2025 Sakharov Prize honours Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli
Eugen Cojocariu, 18.12.2025, 13:02
European Parliament President Metsola awarded the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the representatives of two journalists imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli, at a ceremony in Strasbourg.
On this occasion, Roberta Metsola, President, said: “I am proud to award this year’s Sakharov Prize to journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli, in recognition of their brave fight for freedom of expression and the democratic future of Belarus and Georgia. This House stands in solidarity with Mzia and Andrzej and calls for their immediate release from prison – because speaking the truth to power must never be a crime.”
Andrzej Poczobut is a journalist, essayist, blogger and member of the Polish minority in Belarus. He was represented at the award ceremony by his daughter, Jana Poczobut. Eugen Cojocariu had a talk on Andrzej Poczobut and the dictatorial regime in Minsk with Robert Tyszkiewicz, a former member of the Polish Parliament, a human rights lawyer and a friend of the imprisoned journalist. The translation of the talk has been provided by courtesy of the European Parliament.
Mzia Amaglobeli is a journalist from Georgia, co-founder and director of independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. She was represented at the ceremony by her fellow journalist Irma Dimitradze, who also works for Batumelebi. Eugen Cojocariu talked with Irma Dimitradze.
Also in Strasbourg, Eugen Cojocariu discussed about the Sakharov Prize and what European journalists should do to fight disinformation with Lithuanian EPP MEP Rasa Jukneviciene, a member of the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee.
