The 2025 Sakharov Prize has been awarded to two imprisoned journalists – Polish-Belarusian Andrzej Poczobut and Georgian Mzia Amaglobeli – both serving prison sentences on charges related to their reporting on democracy and civil society.
The announcement was made on October 22 by the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, which includes Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the leaders of the eight political groups.
“Both are journalists imprisoned on fabricated charges, simply because they did their job and raised their voices against injustice,” said Metsola when announcing the winners.
“The courage they have shown has turned them into symbols of the struggle for freedom and democracy. This institution stands with them and with everyone who continues to demand liberty,” she added.
Serbian students protesting against the government in Belgrade for more than a year, as well as journalists and humanitarian workers in Palestine, were also shortlisted for the €50,000 award.
The European Union’s highest human rights honor, the Sakharov Prize, was established in 1988 in tribute to Russian scientist and dissident Andrei Sakharov. It has since become one of the European Parliament’s most significant tools for promoting human rights and freedom of thought—often drawing sharp reactions from repressive regimes over certain nominations or winners.
Past laureates include Nelson Mandela, Alexei Navalny, and Malala Yousafzai.
