John Cole, © AP / Mindaugas Kulbis
According to Trump, the release was made possible thanks to the efforts of his special envoy John Cole. He also emphasized that Polish President Karol Nawrocki approached him last September with a request to help free Polish journalist and activist Andrzej Poczobut.
“Today Poczobut is free thanks to our efforts,” RBC quoted Trump as saying, emphasizing that the U.S. is “honoring commitments to allies and friends.”
Poczobut was returned to Poland in late April 2026 as a result of a prisoner exchange. He was sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of inciting hatred and acts aimed at harming national security. Poland and international human rights organizations called the sentence political.
Earlier, Logos Press reported that U.S. Special Representative for Belarus John Cole plans to visit Belarus this week. Cole hopes that Lukashenko will once again release political prisoners after the talks.
During Cole’s last visit, America lifted sanctions against Belarus in exchange for the release of prisoners.
