Warsaw court grants former justice minister pre-trial detention for three months, citing flight risk and tampering concerns.
Court Decision
On Thursday, February 5, the District Court for Warsaw-Mokotów approved the prosecution’s request for temporary arrest for former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro. The court agreed to the three-month detention, accepting the prosecution’s arguments that there is a high probability of the alleged offenses and that flight and concealment have occurred. The court also cited concerns about tampering with evidence and the risk of a severe sentence.
Prosecutor Piotr Woźniak stated that the next steps will include issuing a wanted notice and a European Arrest Warrant. Defense lawyer Bartosz Lewandowski noted the court’s stipulation that Ziobro must be transferred to a treatment facility upon arrest.
Ziobro’s Response
Ziobro, who has political asylum in Budapest, stated via Telewizja Republika that he has “no illusions” about the outcome. He described the proceedings as a “spectacle” and a “politically orchestrated process,” claiming daily evidence of judicial manipulation. He emphasized dedicating his adult life to fighting for Polish safety against organized crime and mafias.
Defense Motions Rejected
Earlier, the court rejected the defense motions requesting that a different court decide on Ziobro’s arrest. This was the Warsaw court’s third consideration of the arrest request. The first postponement was due to the prosecution failing to submit classified materials; the second followed a defense request to recuse the presiding judge.
Justice Fund Case
The prosecution, with prior Sejm approval, seeks to present Ziobro with 26 charges, including heading an organized criminal group accused of embezzling funds from the Justice Fund. As Justice Minister in the PiS government, Ziobro had control over these funds.
European Arrest Warrant
Prosecutor Woźniak confirmed the intention to issue a wanted notice and a European Arrest Warrant for Ziobro. When questioned about Ziobro’s asylum status in Hungary, Woźniak stated that political asylum does not prevent the execution of a European Arrest Warrant under applicable regulations.
