Court Rejects European Arrest Warrant for Ziobro; Prosecution Mulls Next Steps

The Warsaw District Court has denied a request for a European Arrest Warrant against former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, citing his current absence from the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Court Ruling and Legal Grounds

The Warsaw District Court has officially rejected the National Prosecutor’s request to issue a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) for Zbigniew Ziobro. Court officials stated that the decision is final and not subject to appeal. The refusal stems from the lack of evidence that Ziobro is currently residing or traveling within the European Union or the United Kingdom, which are prerequisites for the warrant’s application.

Prosecution’s Response

The National Prosecutor’s Office indicated that the court’s decision does not permanently close the matter. Prosecutors are currently reviewing the court’s written justification to determine whether to submit a new application. The office noted that they had previously warned the court of the risk of the suspect leaving the Schengen Area while the case was pending.

The Suspect’s Movements

Zbigniew Ziobro spent several months in Hungary, where he initially held international protection status, before moving to the United States on May 9. Reports from early July confirmed that Hungary had revoked the refugee status previously granted to Ziobro, his wife, and former Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski, while simultaneously invalidating their travel documents.

Corruption and Criminal Allegations

The investigation into the former minister is central to the broader inquiry into the Justice Fund during the PiS administration. Prosecutors have brought 26 charges against Ziobro, including directing an organized criminal group and abusing his ministerial position to facilitate illegal grant distributions and interfere in tender processes.