Polish President Karol Nawrocki declined to comment on a potential pardon for Zbigniew Ziobro, stating he cannot expect a fair trial in Poland.
President’s Response on Pardon
On Sunday, February 15, Polish President Karol Nawrocki was directly asked on Polsat News whether he would grant a pardon to former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro if a verdict were reached. Nawrocki responded that “there is no such request, no conviction, so we are talking about something that belongs to the future.”
“We live in a situation where, with certainty, and I repeat this consistently, Minister Ziobro cannot count on a fair process in Poland,” evaluated Nawrocki. “We live in a situation where, with certainty – and I repeat this consistently – Minister Ziobro cannot count on a fair process in Poland, of which I am sure,” emphasized the president.
Nawrocki: Cannot Imagine Leaving Poland
During the program, Nawrocki was also asked if he would decide to leave the country if he were in a similar situation as Ziobro. “Of course, I cannot imagine this type of leaving the Republic of Poland, but that’s me, it’s a personal, individual decision of each,” stated the president.
The president also commented on the health condition of the former minister, who has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. According to Nawrocki, Ziobro is facing both a serious illness and “political persecution.”
Arrest Warrant and 26 Charges
At the beginning of February, the National Prosecutor’s Office announced the issuance of an arrest warrant for Zbigniew Ziobro. Earlier, the District Court for Warsaw-Mokotów had applied a three-month temporary detention from the moment of his arrest. Investigators intend to present Ziobro with 26 charges. The most serious one concerns leading an organized criminal group. Among the others are charges related to irregularities in managing funds from the Justice Fund.
The Prosecutor’s Office indicates a “high probability” that the suspect committed the alleged acts. The maximum penalty in this case is 25 years in prison. The former minister is currently in Hungary, where he has received political asylum. Ziobro himself stated that he would remain there until “rule of law is restored” in Poland.
