Polish MP Zbigniew Ziobro has lost his passports, is challenging the ruling, and faces up to 25 years in prison over the Justice Fund scandal.
Ziobro Fights Passport Revocation
Bartosz Lewandowski, Ziobro’s defence lawyer, confirmed that his client has appealed the cancellation of his passport by the Warsaw voivode. The lawyer declined to disclose the arguments, noting the decision had not been formally served. He said the PiS politician may also challenge the revocation of his diplomatic passport by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to a report by Dziennik, the court’s decision will be a precedent. The lawyer added that Polish law does not regulate how a passport may be invalidated and he is curious how the Provincial Administrative Court will assess the case.
Passports Revoked by the Warsaw Governor
On 16 December, authorities announced that Ziobro’s passport was invalidated. The decision was made by Warsaw Governor Mariusz Frankowski at the request of the National Prosecutor’s Office. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński posted a comment on X: “No one will escape responsibility.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that a former justice minister had issued the diplomatic passport. On 18 November, Radosław Sikorski posted on social media that he acted on a request from the National Prosecutor’s Office.
Arrest Hearing and 26 Charges Against Ziobro
An arrest hearing for former justice minister, now PiS MP, is scheduled for 22 December. The Court for Warsaw‑Mokotów will decide on the prosecutor’s request regarding the case.
Investigators are pursuing a case alleging Ziobro’s involvement in the Justice Fund scandal, with 26 criminal charges, including the organization and leadership of a criminal group that allegedly appropriated 150 million PLN from a targeted fund intended for crime victims.
Ziobro faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
