Poland’s former Justice Minister Jacek Ziobro awaits a vote on his immunity and potential 25‑year prison sentence while PiS members vow support ahead of Thursday’s hearing.
Immunity Hearing to Resolve Temporary Detention
Prosecutor Waldemar Żurka’s petition will first be considered on Thursday by the Commission of Parliamentary Immunity and the Sejm plenary on Friday. The votes will decide whether a provisional three‑month detention will be imposed on Ziobro.
Charges of Justice Fund Misappropriation and Pegasus Software
Prosecutors seek to charge Ziobro with 26 crimes, including the formation of an organised criminal group that reportedly included former Deputy Ministers Marcin Romanowski, Michał Woś, and MP Dariusz Matecki. Allegations also involve the misuse of the Justice Fund to purchase Pegasus surveillance software. Ziobro faces a potential 25‑year sentence.
Uncertain Status and Hungarian Connections
Ziobro has not formally renounced his immunity and his whereabouts remain unknown. He recently met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who allegedly helped secure asylum for Romanowski and influenced Mateo’s brief arrest. Orbán’s support is seen as a possible avenue for Ziobro to flee to Hungary.
PiS Rises to Defend Ziobro, Calls Him “Ballast”
PiS leaders, including Jarosław Kaczyński and MP Marcin Warchoł, have pledged to defend Ziobro. They claim the prosecutor’s accusations are false and that the charges threaten a healthy democratic process. Party rhetoric frames Ziobro as a weight that should have long been removed, yet colleagues vow unconditional support.
Accelerating Prosecution of Ziobro’s Associates
The National Prosecutor’s Office accelerated its case against Ziobro’s network. On 21 October, it filed charges against Michał Woś for Pegasus procurement, while a week earlier, Dariusz Matecki received an indictment in Szczecin. The indictment covers six crimes linked to irregular grant competitions from the Justice Fund.
Political and International Reactions
Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s recent satirical online video indicates heightened political backlash. Former NIK chief Marian Banaś, long associated with PiS officials, is now under investigation for financial irregularities. Observers note that international allies, including the United States, may play a role in shaping public opinion as the scandal unfolds.