Kenneth Glad
A legal dispute involving a former senior official has expanded beyond national borders. Authorities are now seeking clarity over travel, jurisdiction and possible next steps.
Former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro has fled to the United States, prompting Warsaw to question how he travelled there after Polish authorities said that his passports had been revoked.
Poland’s current justice minister, Waldemar Żurek, has indicated that an extradition request could follow if Ziobro’s presence in the country is confirmed.
Ziobro, who served as Poland’s justice minister and attorney general from 2015 to 2023, confirmed his location in an interview with the right-wing Polish broadcaster Republika.
“I am in the United States,” Ziobro told the outlet. “I arrived yesterday, and this is my third time travelling around the country,” he said.
He is wanted in Poland over allegations connected to his years in office. Ziobro denies wrongdoing and says the case is part of a political campaign against conservatives.
Poland asks questions
Polish prosecutors allege that Ziobro abused his authority, held a leading role in a criminal network and diverted money from a victims’ fund toward the purchase of Pegasus spyware, according to The Guardian. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
The case forms part of Poland’s broader effort to scrutinize officials linked to the former Law and Justice-led government.
Polish justice minister Waldemar Żurek wrote in a post on X that Warsaw would ask the United States and Hungary to explain the legal basis that allowed Ziobro to travel and enter the U.S.
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Extradition looms
TVN24 has published a photo showing Ziobro at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Onet said Ziobro had obtained a U.S. journalist visa connected to Republika, which later named him as its U.S. political commentator.
Hungary granted Ziobro asylum under Viktor Orbán’s government. But after Péter Magyar became prime minister, he said Hungary would no longer protect wanted foreign figures.
“Hungary will no longer be a dumping ground for internationally wanted criminals,” Magyar told journalists, according to The Guardian.
Żurek said that Poland would move to seek extradition if Ziobro’s presence in the U.S. was verified.
“If it is confirmed that Ziobro is in the USA, then Poland will request his extradition,” he said.
Asked about extradition by Republika, Ziobro replied: “I am ready to appear before any court, and an American independent court is certainly an independent court.”
Sources: The Guardian, Republika, TVN24, Onet
