European Parliament Awards 2025 Sakharov Prize to Jailed Journalists from Belarus and Georgia

The EU honours courage and press freedom amid repression

The European Parliament has awarded its 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to two imprisoned journalists from Belarus and Georgia, recognising their courage and resilience in defending freedom of expression under authoritarian pressure. The laureates are Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist detained since 2021 for his critical reporting on Belarus’s government, and Mzia Amaglobeli, a Georgian journalist and media director imprisoned in 2025 following her coverage of political tensions and protests. Both were unable to attend the December 16 award ceremony in Strasbourg, so the honour was accepted by representatives on their behalf. The Sakharov Prize, established in 1988, is the European Union’s highest human rights award and highlights exceptional contributions to democracy and human dignity. In selecting journalists as recipients, the European Parliament emphasised that imprisoning reporters for their work is a direct attack on democratic values. Press freedom organisations welcomed the decision, noting it brings international visibility to their cases and increases pressure on authorities to secure their release.

To read the full story: https://tjcproject.org/european-parliament-awards-2025-sakharov-prize-to-jailed-journalists-from-belarus-and-georgia/