Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro ordered arrest despite political asylum in Hungary

A Warsaw district court has ordered the arrest of former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is currently in Hungary under political asylum, Polish opposition lawyer Adam Gomola confirmed on X. Gomola also stated that Ziobro’s legal team intends to appeal the decision.

The ruling followed a full-day hearing, which had been postponed twice since December. During the proceedings, Ziobro’s lawyers reported that several defence motions were rejected. Among them were requests to transfer the case to another court to avoid political pressure and to convene a three-judge panel instead of a single designated judge. The court reportedly cited alleged political influence at the Warsaw district court in dismissing these motions.

Allegations and legal background

Ziobro, who served in Poland’s previous government, is accused of multiple irregularities at the Justice Fund he helped establish. He faces 26 criminal charges, including embezzlement, corruption, and abuse of power, carrying a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, 24.hu writes. The accusations involve misusing state-controlled funds meant to support crime victims, allegedly purchasing spyware to monitor political opponents, funding illegal party activities, and channelling money to loyal associates.

The case has also attracted attention due to the alleged surveillance of prominent politicians during the former Polish minister’s tenure, including current Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. Former Prime Minister Donald Tusk has claimed that his own family was targeted.

European arrest warrant and political asylum

Before Thursday’s hearing, prosecutor Piotr Wozniak told reporters that should the court uphold the arrest, the Polish authorities would issue a European arrest warrant. Regarding Ziobro’s political asylum in Hungary, Wozniak clarified: “Under the rules, political asylum does not prevent the execution of a European arrest warrant.”

Ziobro himself dismissed the trial as a “staged performance”, claiming that some judges had engaged in political and criminal activities with the expectation of future immunity. He also suggested that a future change of government in Poland would hold those judges accountable.

Ziobro in Hungary

Fleeing Poland’s justice system, Ziobro relocated to Budapest, where he obtained political asylum for himself and his wife earlier this year. He is among several former officials from the previous Polish government aligned with Hungary’s Fidesz party who have sought refuge following the political shift in Warsaw.

If you missed it:

• UPDATE – Official: Hungary grants asylum to former Minister Ziobro and other Polish citizens