Brussels: Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia and Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus have been announced as the laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize, as declared by the European Parliament.
According to Kuwait News Agency, these two journalists, who are currently imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, will be honored with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on December 16. The European Parliament released a statement confirming the award on Wednesday.
EP President Roberta Metsola expressed the significance of this recognition: “By awarding this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia, we honour two journalists whose courage shines as a beacon for all who refuse to be silenced.” Metsola highlighted the sacrifices made by both journalists in their pursuit of truth and their roles as symbols in the struggle for freedom and democracy. She reaffirmed the Parliament’s support for them and all those who continue to demand freedom.
Andrzej Poczobut is known for his work as a journalist, essayist, blogger, and activist representing the Polish minority in Belarus. Meanwhile, Mzia Amaglobeli, serving as a Georgian journalist and director of online media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was detained in January 2025 for participating in anti-government protests in Georgia. Her political activism led to a two-year prison sentence in August.
The Sakharov Prize, named after Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov, a Soviet physicist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was established to honor those who champion human rights worldwide. Sakharov himself was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975 for his advocacy of human rights.