On Tuesday, 28 October, PiS lawmakers weighed in on Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro’s 26‑charge indictment, with some applauding his alleged sentence and others urging police action.
PiS Politicians Celebrate Ziobro’s Alleged Sentence
Jacek Gądek of Newsweek questioned PiS legislators about irregularities in the Justice Fund, where Ziobro is accused of 26 crimes that could carry a 25‑year prison sentence. Some lawmakers reacted with enthusiasm—one said, “Ziobro faces 25 years? That’s 25 reasons to celebrate!”
The same politician also urged support for prosecutor chief Waldemar Żurk and remarked, “May Ziobro’s soup in prison taste,” suggesting an endorsement of the minister and a mocking attitude towards the alleged sentence.
Mixed Views on Minister Waldemar Żurk
A different PiS lawmaker agreed with praise for Żurk only partially, noting that the prosecutor’s office uses dirty tactics in the embezzlement charge, yet PiS members were aware that Ziobro’s party managed the Justice Fund as they chose. He said that while the prosecution may not fully defend the charge of forming a criminal group, abuse of power was acknowledged.
Request to Strip Parliamentary Immunity Filed
On Tuesday, 28 October, Minister Waldemar Żurk submitted a motion to the Marshal of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, to lift Ziobro’s parliamentary immunity and detain him temporarily.
The National Prosecutor’s Office stated there is sufficient reason to suspect the MP of committing 26 offenses linked to his duties as Justice Minister and caretaker of the Justice Fund.
Prosecution Allegations: Abuse of Power and Criminal Group
Investigators contend Ziobro could have neglected duties and exceeded his authority while handling the Fund.
He is also charged with founding and running an organized criminal group and with misappropriation or attempted misappropriation of the Justice Fund’s money.
