The National Prosecutor’s Office has requested the removal of Judge Anna Nowakowska from an appeals case concerning the European Arrest Warrant issued for former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro.
Procedural Dispute Over Arrest Warrant
In February, the National Prosecutor’s Office requested the Warsaw Regional Court to issue a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) for former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro. When the court rejected a request from Ziobro’s defense to suspend the EAW proceedings in March, defense attorney Bogumił Zygmont filed an appeal, moving the case to the Warsaw Court of Appeal.
Recusal Motion Against Judge Nowakowska
The National Prosecutor’s Office has formally requested the recusal of Judge Anna Nowakowska, who is presiding over the case at the Court of Appeal. The motion is based on her previous delegation to the court by Ziobro during his tenure as Justice Minister, as well as her subsequent appointment by the so-called new National Council of the Judiciary.
Allegations and the Justice Fund
Zbigniew Ziobro is a suspect in an investigation regarding irregularities within the Justice Fund. Prosecutors allege he led an organized crime group and abused his authority to commit 26 distinct offenses, including directing subordinates to bypass legal procedures to grant funding to ineligible entities and interfering with competitive bidding processes. Ziobro maintains his innocence, characterizing the investigation as a political smear campaign.
Legal Status and International Movements
Following the Sejm’s approval for his detention and the issuance of charges in late 2025, Ziobro secured international protection in Hungary, as did his former deputy, Marcin Romanowski. On May 10, Ziobro confirmed he was in the United States, asserting he had not fled Poland and was traveling under documents provided by his Hungarian asylum status. Prosecutor Przemysław Nowak noted that this travel would have been restricted had the EAW, requested by the prosecution on February 10, been fully executed.