Stories from Warsaw · Poland

Defender Serpe Radowampankow informed the club in a statement that he will not extend his contract, which expires in June.

The Polish health commission has adopted an amendment to extend the deadline for Ukrainian doctors and dentists to obtain Polish language proficiency certificates. The new deadline is set for May 2027. The amendment was discussed by Maciej Korowaj of the Eastern Flank Institute.

A Polish journalist has regained freedom after spending more than five years in Belarusian prisons and colonies. The Polish-Belarusian journalist was released as part of a prisoner exchange. The group released to the Polish side included Father Gawę and a Belarusian citizen who cooperated with Polish services. The release follows a period of detention and is expected to help resolve a dispute between the Polish government and the President. The report noted the presence of Americans during the circumstances surrounding the release. The FSB stated that the return of Russians was made possible through a multi-stage operation conducted jointly with the Belarusian KGB. Poczobut is the head of the Union of Poles in Belarus and has spent many years in prison on political charges.

Human rights defender Anna Gawina noted that a Belarusian prisoner is facing severe health issues and a lack of consistent medical assistance. The prisoner was reportedly placed in solitary confinement multiple times over a five-year period and denied contact with relatives. Gawina expressed hope that Andrzej Koszogód will have the opportunity for a safe life following his release. Stefanowicz Walenciń, vice-chairman of the Center for Defense of Human Rights, described harsh conditions faced by political prisoners in Poland. Walenciń, who was released from Łukaszanka prison in March, stated he was held in a very cold cell without warm clothing in 2023.

Political parties PiS, PSL, TD, Lewica, and Polska 2050 have declared support for a project expanding the catalog of national minorities in Poland. The project grants national minority status to the Greek community. The Konfederacja Club declared it does not support the measure.

Polish Parliament penalized MPs Dariusz Matecki and Michał Woś for displaying boards regarding a pedophilia scandal in Kłodzko during a Sejm session on April 17. Włodzimierz Czarzasty excluded the lawmakers from proceedings.

The campaign against homophobia reports that at least 1,000 couples in Poland may wish to register marriages performed abroad into Polish civil registries. The information was shared by Jola, Alicja, and Judge Iwona Tchórzewska. Przemek Walaz of the anti-homophobia campaign estimates approximately 1,000 couples have married abroad. These figures are cautious estimates as there is currently no monitoring from the Ministry of Interior and Administration to verify the exact number. Polish courts are reportedly issuing rulings that require civil registry officials to transcribe these foreign marriage certificates.

Polish Justice Minister Baldemar Żurek denied the extradition of a Russian archaeologist to Ukraine. Polish-Belarusian journalist and activist Andrzej Poczobut was included in a 5-for-5 prisoner exchange involving Russia.

Svetlana Chihanova stated there are at least 900 political prisoners currently held. The report noted that obtaining information is difficult due to ongoing arrests and sentences.

The investigation follows reports of individuals being moved into Poland and stripped of their right to hold Belarusian passports. The prosecutor described the actions as crimes against the Belarusian people.