Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek announced that Poland will initiate extradition proceedings on Monday if it is officially confirmed that former minister Zbigniew Ziobro is staying in the United States.
Ziobro’s Presence in the United States
Polish authorities are verifying whether Zbigniew Ziobro is currently in the U.S. and plans to remain there. Reports and photos from Newark airport under New York were published by TVN24 on Sunday, while Radio ZET journalist Mariusz Gierszewski unofficially reported that the politician might hold a transit ticket.
Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek stated that while Ziobro’s appearance at the airport is known, it does not necessarily mean he intends to flee the Polish justice system. Authorities and the prosecutor’s office are analyzing whether the U.S. was the final destination or merely a transit point.
Potential Extradition Proceedings
The Minister of Justice announced that if Ziobro’s stay in the USA is confirmed, Poland will begin the extradition process. Żurek stated that after speaking with the national prosecutor, the action will commence on Monday.
This would transition the case to the level of international legal cooperation between Poland and the United States. However, such procedures are complex and can take months, with the individual’s residency status and travel documents playing a key role.
Unclear Asylum Status in Hungary
Waldemar Żurek revealed that the Polish Ministry of Justice repeatedly requested documents from Budapest regarding the protection granted to Ziobro, but responses were laconic and lacked specifics. Żurek emphasized that Poland has never seen any document confirming asylum or international protection.
Despite Poland invalidating Ziobro’s diplomatic and ordinary passports, the former minister managed to leave Hungary and reach the USA. Żurek suggested the possible use of a “Geneva document,” which allows individuals under international protection to travel between states regardless of national passport issues.
Justice Fund Investigation and Allegations
The case is linked to an investigation into irregularities within the Justice Fund. The prosecution alleges that the former minister committed crimes related to the fund’s operation and the distribution of public funds to organizations and entities politically linked to the Sovereign Poland camp.
Former Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski, who also stayed in Hungary under the protection of Viktor Orbán’s government, is mentioned in a similar context. Both politicians have remained at the center of a major political-legal dispute following the change of power in Poland.
