Warsaw Court Upholds Arrest Order for Zbigniew Ziobro
The Warsaw District Court ruled on Wednesday that the initial decision to grant an arrest warrant for former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro regarding the Justice Fund case remains legally sound....
The Warsaw District Court ruled on Wednesday that the initial decision to grant an arrest warrant for former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro regarding the Justice Fund case remains legally sound.
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Court Findings on the Justice Fund
Judge Anna Ptaszek stated that the court found the allegations concerning significant financial harm to the State Treasury to be credible. She emphasized that the ruling does not determine guilt but confirms that the evidence gathered by prosecutors is sufficient to justify detention.
The investigation centers on the misuse of the Justice Fund during the PiS administration. Prosecutors accuse Ziobro of leading an organized crime group, abusing his authority, and committing 26 separate offenses, including directing subordinates to grant funding to unauthorized entities.
Legal Battle and Defense Challenges
In February, the District Court for Warsaw-Mokot贸w granted the National Prosecutor’s Office’s request for Ziobro’s arrest, citing risks of witness tampering. Ziobro, who denies all charges and claims political persecution, was reportedly in Hungary and subsequently the United States during these proceedings.
Ziobro鈥檚 defense team filed appeals against the detention order, arguing that the prosecutor’s evidence lacks credibility. During Wednesday鈥檚 hearing, the court rejected several defense motions, including requests to recuse judges and to suspend the proceedings.
Extradition and Pending Arrest Warrants
Prosecutors argued that the grounds for arrest, including the risk of flight and the severity of potential penalties, remain unchanged. They noted that Ziobro鈥檚 presence in the United States is considered an act of evading justice.
While a final court decision on the arrest is not strictly required for an extradition request, prosecutors believe it significantly increases the chances of success. Separately, the court is addressing appeals regarding an ongoing battle over the issuance of a European Arrest Warrant for the former minister.