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Politics

Poland's Efforts to Bring Back Former Minister

Poland is seeking to bring back Zbigniew Ziobro, the former Minister of Justice, from the United States. This action follows the issuance of a warrant for his arrest on charges of abuse of power.

Poland's Efforts to Bring Back Former Minister
Poland's Efforts to Bring Back Former Minister
Foto: Adam Guz/ KPRM - Kancelaria Premiera from Poland, „Zbigniew Ziobro - 2019 (48085697621) (cropped)“, via Wikimedia Commons, PDM-owner, bearbeitet

The Polish government has recently announced that it is looking to bring back Zbigniew Ziobro, the former Minister of Justice of the country, from the United States. This decision was made after a court in Warsaw issued an arrest warrant for this minister on charges of abuse of power.

Serious Charges Against Ziobro

Ziobro, who served as Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General from 2015 to 2023, is accused of embezzling from a special fund for crime victims and illegally using Israeli surveillance software, "Pegasus," for political purposes. These charges could threaten him with up to 25 years in prison.

The spokesperson for the Polish Prosecutor's Office, Anna Patszok, has stated that the request to bring back Ziobro will soon be submitted to American authorities. She said regarding this: "We are aware of his situation in the United States and will submit our request as soon as possible."

Fleeing to America and Political Excuses

After fleeing to America, Ziobro has denied the allegations and accused the current Polish government of launching a "witch hunt" against him and his allies. He and his former deputy, Marcin Romanowski, fled to Hungary following a change of government in Poland and then escaped to the United States. Interestingly, his trip to America occurred under circumstances where it is said that his passport was seized by Polish authorities.

Considering that he is currently working as a political analyst in the United States, bringing him back to Poland could pose a serious challenge for the Polish government.