The Basque journalist Pablo González was released on 1 August and, according to his legal group, was an exchange between Russia and several countries, including Poland, "within the exchange of imprisoned journalists". The Biscayan journalist was arrested on 28 February 2022 in the city of Rceszow, near the border with Ukraine, when he reported on the migratory crisis caused by the war. The Polish prosecutor’s office accused him of working for Russia’s secret services, and he was asked for 10 years in prison for espionage. After about two and a half years, he has been released without evidence against him and without apparent trial, and has been taken to Russia together with other inmates. González was born there. On his arrival in Russia, he has been received by his president, Vladimir Putin.

The statement, published by the journalist's legal team, states that it is "a significant milestone in the freedom of all journalists currently incarcerated in different countries". They stressed that the humanitarian reasons have been “fundamental”, “they have acknowledged the value and importance of journalism in society”, and that the release of González has been made possible by the “intense negotiations and thorough legal work” between both parties. They have stressed that Russia has had “a real interest” in seeking a solution to González’s situation, “others have had as their main objective to criminalize Pablo González, rather than defending him and defending his rights as a journalist.”

Russia and Belarus, on the one hand, and the United States, Germany, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, on the other, have exchanged a total of 26 prisoners, which means the largest exchange of prisoners since the Cold War, according to EITB. The event took place at Ankara airport, in coordination with the Turkish Secret Services (MIT), as reported by the Turkish NTV network. The Insider newspaper has collected all the prisoners who have participated in this exchange of prison material.

23 hours a day in a non-sunlight cell

In February, his wife, Ohiana Goiriena, reported that she had been incommunicado in Pablo González Polish prison and that she was unable to speak to her until nine months after the arrest. “They haven’t let us talk on the phone. Only in the two visits I have made to him have I been able to speak to him. On 21 November 2022 and 16 June 2023,” Goiriena said. In October 2023 fourteen MEPs (Social Democrats, Greens and Left) denounced the Basque journalist’s incommunication by means of a letter addressed to the Polish Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Zobro: “During the 18 months in prison he has been incommunicado, spent 23 hours a day in a cell without sunlight.” In a letter written by González himself from prison and read by Goiriena, he denounced that “the Polish penal and penitentiary system does everything possible to dehumanize the individual.”

From the time of arrest and until they were released, González prison was prolonged in Poland. Despite the fact that on 3 April 2022 the Polish Government said in a widespread statement that there were “big tests”, Goiriena specified that he was accused of using fake passports, but when he claimed that he had two passports – because he was born in Russia and when he was a child, he went to the Basque Country – they “kept quiet.”

Goiriena was critical of the attitude of the Spanish Government and the Basque Government to the situation. “I only received a call from the second person of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Basque Government, who sent me my greetings from Urkullu. And much less by Pedro Sánchez. Not even the Ministry. Only the Spanish consulate in Warsaw speaks to us. They consider it totally administrative, as when the passport is lost,” said Goiriena in an interview offered to La Marea, asked if he received a call from Urkullu or Sanchez. It also denounced the attitude of some media: “I also know from a media outlet that has received calls from the Government and the CNI that says: "Shut up, keep your profile low because here's something."

The aid always present

There have been many statements in favour of Pablo González from Euskal Herria, and the journalist thanked Pablo González for his help by means of a written letter from the Polish prison. “Knowing that you’re there and that I’m not alone is essential to look to the future with optimism and hope that ‘democratic’ detention will end as soon as possible,” Goiriena said at an event in the Biscay town of Nabarniz in favor of the Basque journalist.

In the statement issued by the legal team of González, the collaboration was also appreciated: “On behalf of Paul and his family, we would like to express our gratitude to all the people and institutions who have worked tirelessly for this result, especially #FreePablo.” The statement states that González will respond to the media “when he is in a position to do so”.