Warsaw Court Upholds Arrest Order for Zbigniew Ziobro Amid Justice Fund Inquiry

The Warsaw District Court upheld a temporary arrest order for Zbigniew Ziobro on Wednesday, July 1, as the politician faces allegations of financial irregularities involving the Justice Fund.

Court Denies Defense Motions

The Warsaw District Court, presided over by judges Adam Chocholak, Danuta Grunwald, and Anna Szymacha-Zwolińska, rejected multiple defense requests, including motions to exclude judges and suspend the proceedings. The court affirmed that the allegations involving significant harm to the State Treasury remain substantiated and that all legal prerequisites for detention have been met.

Ziobro Alleges Political Retaliation

Zbigniew Ziobro, currently in the United States, dismissed the ruling as a facade and an act of political revenge. He asserted that the court’s decision was pre-determined and criticized the composition of the judicial panel, arguing that the proceedings lacked objectivity and served a predetermined political objective.

The former minister claimed that the charges against him are fabricated and emphasized his demand for a fair trial before an impartial court. He argued that the current judiciary and prosecution have been unlawfully subordinated to the government, a claim he suggests is supported by previous rulings from the Supreme Court and Constitutional Tribunal.

Investigation into Justice Fund Irregularities

The case is part of a broad investigation into the misuse of the Justice Fund during Ziobro’s tenure as Minister of Justice. Prosecutors suspect Ziobro of committing 26 offenses, including leading an organized criminal group and abusing his official position.

According to investigators, Ziobro allegedly instructed subordinates to bypass the law to secure grants for specific entities, manipulated competitive bidding processes, and authorized the distribution of funds to ineligible organizations.