The District Court of Warsaw has requested a police convoy to secure a December 22 hearing on whether to temporarily arrest former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, prompting a fierce rebuttal from the MP.
Court Orders Police Convoy
TV Republika obtained a document showing that the District Court of Warsaw Mokotów has asked the Convoy Department of the Capital Police Command to secure the session set for December 22. The court will decide whether to accept the prosecutor’s request for a three‑month temporary arrest of Ziobro. Inspector Anna Fedorczyk confirmed the court’s precautionary request in a statement sent to Gazeta.pl.
Ziobro’s Retort
In response to reports that “Tusk wants Ziobro behind bars before the holidays,” Ziobro wrote that the prosecutor’s office was illegally seized, judges were unlawfully removed, and he was “drawn” by Judge Agnieszka Prokopowicz with a pre‑decided verdict. He claimed that the order of a special convoy a month before the hearing “shows something fishy.”
Legal Grounds for Arrest
The National Prosecutor’s Office cited fears of escape, unlawful obstruction of proceedings, and the threat of a severe sentence, with a possible 25‑year prison term for Ziobro. If the court accepts the request, authorities could issue a letter of demand to locate him. Outside Poland, a European Arrest Warrant—requiring separate court authorization—might be pursued. Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek said authorities would do everything to bring him to Poland for trial.
Ziobro’s Current Position
Before immunity was lifted, Ziobro flew to Hungary and said on Polsat News he would return “once the rule of law arrives.” On Monday he defended Viktor Orbán, addressing Donald Tusk, and praised Orbán’s ability to protect his nation abroad.