Poland’s Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has asked prosecutors to lift Zbigniew Ziobro’s parliamentary immunity, demanding his arrest amid accusations of embezzling 150 million zloty from the Justice Trust.
Energy and Vigor
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has formally asked prosecutors to lift the parliamentary immunity of opposition lawmaker Zbigniew Ziobro and to detain him. He explained that the request was carefully drafted and documented to persuade MPs that the opposition’s claims— that all actions were legal and that Ziobro is a political victim—are false. The goal is to gather solid evidence quickly, he said, noting that public pressure would be followed without any haste or shortcomings.
When questioned about Ziobro’s health, Żurek noted that the former minister is typically very active. Whenever he traveled to court or an opposition commission, he usually had no illness. Yet when involved in the case, he appeared unusually healthy and his press‑conference demeanor seemed energetic, according to the minister.
Żurek’s Appeal Regarding the Justice Fund: Report and Show Evidence
He called on activists of Solidarity of Poland and officials who collaborated with them to come forward to the prosecutor and present evidence, adding that the state would handle them gently as the law permits. When asked whether politicians who received funds from the Justice Fund could also face charges, he said responsibility depended on their degree of involvement. A person unaware of the Fund’s workings might be exempt unless evidence proves that they knowingly accepted unlawful money; otherwise, they would bear responsibility.
Ziobro in Budapest
Investigators allege that former justice minister and prosecutor general Zbigniew Ziobro faces 26 charges linked to the Justice Fund, including the misappropriation of more than 150 million zloty. He could be sentenced to up to 25 years incarceration. Ziobro is currently in Budapest; on 30 October he met with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who posted a photo of the meeting and stated that Orbán had met the minister whom the Polish government intends to arrest.
