The swap included the release of Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, who was wanted by Ukraine for conducting excavations in Crimea, a Polish foreign ministry spokesperson said. The spokesperson explained that three of the five prisoners released by Belarus came to Poland, while Poland sent three prisoners to Belarus; the total exchange involved ten prisoners across several countries. John Coale, identified as the US special envoy for Belarus under President Trump, added that three Poles and two Moldovans were among those freed, noting that the exchange has drawn attention for its complexity with multiple nations coordinating to secure the prisoners' release.
Human rights activists have reported that Poczobut suffers from a serious heart condition and was placed in solitary confinement multiple times, including for periods of up to six months, and they raised concerns about inadequate medical care during his imprisonment. Earlier this year, in March, Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka ordered the release of 250 political prisoners as part of a deal with Washington that saw some US sanctions lifted, according to reports at the time, and Poczobut's release follows sustained diplomatic pressure, although many political prisoners still remain in custody. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed that two of its citizens, including Butyagin, were returned to Russia as a result of the exchange carried out on the Belarusian-Polish border, stating that an exchange operation brought them home and acknowledging the cooperation of Belarusian and Polish authorities, while officials have not released the identities of all prisoners involved.
We thank Poland, Moldova and Romania for their invaluable support in this effort, as well as President Lukashenka’s willingness to pursue constructive engagement with the United States.
Meanwhile, Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza described Poczobut as a key factor that could trigger wider releases, according to Euronews, while John Coale expressed gratitude to Poland, Moldova, and Romania for their support, acknowledged Lukashenka's constructive engagement, and noted that the release was the result of prolonged diplomatic efforts. The exact number of prisoners exchanged and the full list of nationalities remain unclear, as diplomatic sources caution that some details are confidential.
Be a pebble that will trigger an avalanche of events. That it will lead to the imminent release of our Belarusian correspondent. Andrzej's fate has finally ceased to be a game between Lukashenka’s special services.