Andrzej Poczobut: I want to spend the next week with my family

The court claimed Andrzej Poczobut innocent under the article of insult of the President. As for the article of a slander, the court considered the journalist guilty and sentenced his to 3 years of imprisonment with suspension of sentence for 2 years. Andrzej Poczobut was released right in the court hall. He gave one of his first interviews on air to Euroradio.

Euroradio: We congratulate you on release. What do you think of the sentence?

Poczobut: I committed no crime, I am absolutely innocent, but they considered me guilty. However, the fact that I have been released now is the result of pressure against Lukashenka's regime, the result of imposing economic sanctions on the regime. I will appeal this sentence, as, let me underline, I am innocent”.

Euroradio: There are probably traces of beating on your face and neck; can you tell us anything about it?

Poczobut: Today, when they were leading me to the trial, the convoy guards made me raise my arms behind my back so high that I fell. I filed a complaint at these convoy guards straightaway.

Euroradio: What was it like in prison, what was your cell-mates' attitude to you?

Poczobut: The news that I was there for a slander against Lukashenka spread all over prison very fast. Everyone knew how I behaved in prison, how I fought for my rights, and people usually respect such firm position. They asked to say hello to me, shook hands with me when I was transported to the court together with other people. As for the prison administration, there was different attitude, as different people work there. There were cases when they treated me normally and cases when they tried to put pressure on me. However, I can fight for my own rights, and I did it in prison. At present moment, if we look at my achievements in this regard, I can say I achieved fulfillment of all the legal norms applicable to a person in custody with respect to me”.

Euroradio: What did you expect while waiting for the sentence to be pronounced?

Poczobut: My cell-mates told me I would go home today, while I answered we would go for a walk together tonight. A convoy guard asked me whether I was going for a walk after the trial, and I said yes, of course”.

Euroradio: Did you feel solidarity?

Poczobut: Certainly. I received very many letters. I got some information through other people as well. I knew what was happening. I was very pleased, and the fact that there were so many people near the court made me confident. It was very important, it made my imprisonment easier to bear. 

Euroradio: Did you get information about the silent protest actions?

Poczobut: Yes. Even the prison guards talked about this with one another.

Euroradio: What are you planning to do after release?

Poczobut: I want to spend the next week with my family. Then I will get back to normal work, I will continue doing what I did before, although I am in a suspended condition actually. The judge strongly underlined this moment, saying that I might be imprisoned at any moment. However, I am going to behave the way I did before the sentence.

Euroradio: Did you write any materials in prison?

Poczobut: I tried to remember as many details as possible, to have them in my head. I was convinced that if I made any notes they would just take them away. I will talk to my editors, if they are interested in what happened to me during these three months I will definitely write about it.

Euroradio: Are you going to visit the Polish office of the newspaper where you work?

Poczobut: I am not allowed to leave my city, but as soon as I have such an opportunity I will definitely go to visit the editor's office in Poland and thank them all.

Euroradio: Are you morally prepared that the law-enforcement authorities will not leave you unattended?

Poczobut: Sure. I know it will be like this. This is our situation, this is our country. I could have escaped but I did not, I am staying here and will continue doing what I did before, as I committed no crime.