Ziobro Discloses US Location as European Arrest Warrant Faces Legal Hurdle

Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro has submitted a formal statement to a Warsaw court confirming his residence in the United States, casting doubt on the validity of a pending European Arrest Warrant.

The European Arrest Warrant Complication

The District Court in Warsaw is currently evaluating a potential European Arrest Warrant (EAW) for Zbigniew Ziobro. Legal experts suggest the request may be rejected because the EAW process is specifically designed for cooperation between European Union member states.

Judge Anna Ptaszek confirmed that the court is verifying the former minister’s actual location. Because Ziobro is currently in the United States, critics argue that issuing an EAW within the EU framework could be deemed legally baseless.

Court Review and Documentation

Ziobro’s defense attorney has officially filed a motion requesting the court dismiss the EAW application. The motion includes a declaration from the former minister stating he entered the U.S. legally and providing a specific locality, though the court has not publicly disclosed the exact city.

The court has reached out to the National Prosecutor’s Office to clarify the actions taken to track the politician and identify which travel documents he is currently utilizing.

Background on the Legal Proceedings

The prosecution intends to level 26 charges against Ziobro concerning the management of the Justice Fund. Ziobro maintains his innocence, characterizing the proceedings as a politically motivated campaign.

In May, Ziobro departed Milan for the U.S. using a foreign media visa. Reports indicate he has since joined Telewizja Republika as a political commentator. Previously, the politician resided in Hungary, which he left following political shifts in the country. A district court approved his arrest in February, but the decision is not yet final due to pending appeals.