On December 22, Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek announced a second request for a European Arrest Warrant against former deputy justice minister Marcin Romanowski, sparking controversy in Warsaw.
Second European Arrest Warrant Request
Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek announced that a new application for a European Arrest Warrant (ENA) against Marcin Romanowski was submitted. Romanowski, a former deputy justice minister, is suspected in the Justice Fund probe and had previously received political asylum in Hungary.
Withdrawal of the First ENA
On December 19, the Warsaw District Court lifted the ENA issued against Romanowski the previous year. The court cited unlawful political pressure in the investigation and stated that prosecutor actions threatened constitutional rights.
Minister Żurek Challenges Court’s Rationale
Żurek publicly disputed the court’s justification for canceling the ENA, claiming the court claimed ignorance of Romanowski’s asylum status and that the prosecutor had failed to notify the court about Interpol’s refusal to issue a red notice.
Concerns Over Hungary’s Rule‑of‑Law Status
Żurek voiced doubts about Hungary’s compliance with EU rule‑of‑law standards, noting that the country is under scrutiny for failing to respect EU legal norms and that granting asylum to a Union member may contravene EU law.
Alleged “Cryptocracy” and Political Pressure on Courts
Romanowski’s lawyer accused former Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government of a “cryptocracy” that suppresses court decisions, claiming the judge is being pushed away from a prior ruling and that political influence is being exerted over judicial proceedings.
