Prosecutors have finalized the extradition request for former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, yet a delayed court hearing regarding his temporary arrest prevents the documents from being forwarded to U.S. authorities.
Procedural Deadlock
The prosecutor’s office has completed the extradition documents, but the procedure has hit a standstill. Without a final, legally binding court order for temporary arrest, the extradition request cannot be formally submitted to the United States.
Delayed Court Hearing
The court is tasked with reviewing an appeal filed by Ziobro’s defense counsel against a February 5, 2026, decision. Although regulations mandate a seven-day review period, the hearing has been set for September 8, 2026. The judiciary attributes these delays to the immense scale of the investigation and the volume of evidence files.
Movement and Visa Status
Reports from Reuters indicate Ziobro is currently in the United States on a journalist visa, purportedly approved by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. He departed Hungary on May 9, 2026, shortly before the inauguration of Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who had signaled a willingness to facilitate extradition.
Flight Details
Ziobro traveled to the United States from Milan Malpensa Airport with his son, Jerzy. According to reports, he did not use his Polish passport, which had been previously confiscated, and Polish authorities were only notified of the flight by Italian officials several days later.
