Justice Minister Challenges Ziobro’s US Status via ICE Inquiry

Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has formally requested that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement clarify the legal grounds for Zbigniew Ziobro’s current stay in the United States amid pending criminal charges.

Request for ICE Clarification

Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek announced on Tuesday that he has sent a formal letter to David J. Venturelli, acting head of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The inquiry demands an explanation regarding the legal basis for former minister Zbigniew Ziobro’s presence in the United States.

The Polish government has previously invalidated both Ziobro’s standard and diplomatic passports. Furthermore, his refugee status, granted by Viktor Orban’s government, has been revoked, rendering his Geneva passport invalid.

Criminal Charges and Legal Context

The Polish authorities have informed US officials of the total 26 criminal charges currently facing the former minister. The letter aims to provide the US immigration services with a detailed account of the political and legal context surrounding Ziobro’s activities.

As reported first by Radio ZET, this correspondence is expected to move faster than the formal extradition request currently in progress. Minister Żurek stated that he initiated this inquiry to ascertain how Ziobro remains in the US without any valid travel documentation.

Status of the Extradition Request

Anna Adamiak, spokesperson for the Prosecutor General, confirmed that the formal extradition request is ready and nearing the final stage of preparation. The document is currently being reviewed by the International Cooperation Bureau of the National Prosecutor’s Office for formal compliance before being translated.

Minister Żurek noted that the extradition file consists of approximately 300 pages. Once translation into English is finalized, the Polish government plans to proceed through the required diplomatic channels as outlined in the Polish-American extradition treaty.