Polish Deputy Minister of Justice Arkadiusz Myrcha has formally requested that the United States explain the circumstances surrounding the entry of former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro into the country.
U.S. Administration involvement questioned
Reuters reported that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau allegedly instructed the consular department in Washington to facilitate a visa for former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro through the U.S. Embassy in Budapest. Deputy Minister Myrcha stated on Radio Trójka that such high-level involvement requires verification and explanation from the American side.
The Polish Ministry of Justice issued a note to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw several days ago requesting the legal and factual basis for Ziobro’s entry. According to Myrcha, Poland has not yet received a response.
Awaiting diplomatic clarification
Myrcha noted that given the circumstances, the U.S. response may take longer than usual, though he rejected the possibility of no response at all. He emphasized that Polish-American relations remain strong and that providing clarity would be a matter of diplomatic good taste.
The Deputy Minister also addressed reports suggesting Ziobro used a government vehicle belonging to Viktor Orbán to travel through Serbia. Myrcha characterized these actions as a sign of desperation and fear from Ziobro, who faces potential legal accountability in Poland.
Extradition efforts confirmed
Deputy Foreign Minister Ignacy Niemczycki confirmed in a TOK FM interview that Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski is in contact with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the matter. Niemczycki affirmed that if an extradition request is filed, the ministry will pursue it with full determination.
Ziobro, who had been residing in Hungary under international protection, is a suspect in a prosecutor’s investigation concerning the Justice Fund. He confirmed his arrival in the United States on May 10.