10 Political Prisoners Who Arrived From Vilnius Were Met In Warsaw PHOTOS and VIDEO

Minibuses with the group arrived at the Belarusian Solidarity Center in Warsaw around 4:00 PM. Several dozen people gathered to meet the recently released individuals, carrying flowers and the white-red-white flag. Among those who came to the arrival point were political analyst Artyom Shraibman, the renowned Belarusian ethnographer, founder of the Kasary band and the shelter for repressed Belarusians in Warsaw "Dom Tvorcau" (House of Creators), Siarzhuk Douhushau.

Former political prisoner, editor-in-chief of Tut.by Maryna Zolatava, who was particularly awaiting the release of her colleague, the portal's general director Liudmila Chekina, with whom she was detained in 2021, also arrived.

Relatives meet released political prisoners in Warsaw, Poland. Pictured: Pavel Belaus. September 18, 2026. Photo: Raul Dziuk / Belsat

Pavel Belaus said that in his first days in Warsaw, he plans to meet friends, rest, and wait for his family, and then "build a new life."

"Honestly, until the very end, I was in Belarus and didn't plan to leave. Well, I planned that if they imprisoned me, it would be for a year or two, but here they gave me 13, of which I served 5, and then sent me [out of the country]. For now, as I understand it, there's no way back," he shared, adding with a smile that the first days are filled with meetings and conversations with loved ones. — "The wave of support is such that I just experienced the Vilnius one, and now I need to handle the Warsaw one. Everyone says the Warsaw one is much stronger. Now I need to make sure it doesn't sweep me away or drive me crazy."

Павялічыць

According to the "Belsat" editor, he was met from the bus with the words "Long live Belaus!"

The cultural manager and founder of "Art Siadziba" (Art Estate), the national symbolism and souvenir store Symbal.by, who made great efforts to revive Belarusian culture in the country, spoke about how he reacted to the treason conviction.

"This is a tragedy. First of all, I was accused of treason against the state and 'other actions' — meaning for cooperating with foreign organizations, the USA, the European Union. It is what it is. I've already forgotten about all of it," Belaus said.

"Aren't you going to step away from promoting Belarusian culture?" asked Dzmitry Lukashuk, a journalist from "Euroradio."

"Most likely not. Who would let me step away… — Pavel answered jokingly. — All my creations and associates are here. Where would I go? This is already my life."

Of the 25 people who were transported from Belarus to Vilnius on September 16 with the help of the USA after their release, 10 decided to move to Poland. They plan to apply for international protection and begin the legalization process. Another 13 people will remain in Lithuania, and two will go to other countries, explained Tsikhanouskaya's Office.

Pavel Latushka sought consent from representatives of Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for some of the former political prisoners to be able to come to Poland.

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