Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro dismissed his attempted apprehension as a choreographed failure, labeling the government’s actions a reputational catastrophe that ultimately humiliated Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Ziobro’s Accusation of a Political Spectacle
“Fabricated, false charges fueled the Platformers’ mob for months before the announced spectacle,” Ziobro wrote in a post on X on Sunday, May 17. He claimed that the “grand finale” was intended to be a showy arrest during his transit from Hungary to Poland.
He described the operation as a telenovela directed by Roman Giertych, whom he labeled a criminal and thief. According to Ziobro, the government aimed to sustain public interest through repeated detentions until next year’s parliamentary elections, ultimately intending to humiliate him and the entire Law and Justice (PiS) party.
The Collapse of the Government’s Narrative
“This triumph, a symbol of ‘settling scores,’ was meant to lead them to electoral victory,” Ziobro stated. “But instead of a triumph, it turned into an image-related humiliation and a catastrophe.” He added that the ruling coalition was unaware of the existence of the Geneva passport, a document granted to individuals with political asylum, which he used to travel to the United States.
Controversy Surrounding the Sakiewicz Raid
Ziobro also addressed the police search of the home of Tomasz Sakiewicz, editor-in-chief of Telewizja Republika, during which officers handcuffed Sakiewicz’s assistant. “To cover up their embarrassment and out of revenge, the Tuskovites struck at Telewizja Republika and its journalists,” he remarked.
The politician likened these actions to the 2014 Internal Security Agency (ABW) raid on the Wprost editorial office, which he characterized as the beginning of the end for Tusk’s previous government. He urged supporters to defend the station, claiming Tusk is now resorting to desperation and violence.
Legal Status and Political Asylum
Ziobro and his former deputy, Marcin Romanowski, secured political asylum in Hungary during Viktor Orbán’s tenure. Following the April elections won by TISZA, leader Péter Magyar suggested these officials would not remain in the country for long. On May 10, Ziobro confirmed he had left Hungary for the United States.
The prosecutor’s office currently suspects Ziobro of committing 26 offenses, including leading an organized criminal group during his time as Minister of Justice. While the Sejm authorized his arrest in 2025 regarding the Justice Fund scandal, Ziobro had already departed for Hungary by that time.
