English Section

European arrest warrant sought for Poland's former justice minister

10.02.2026 19:45
Polish prosecutors have requested a European arrest warrant for former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro in connection with an investigation into alleged irregularities at the Justice Fund.
Former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro appeared via video link at his partys headquarters in Warsaw in December 2025.
Former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro appeared via video link at his party's headquarters in Warsaw in December 2025.Photo: Albert Zawada/PAP

The request was filed with Warsaw's Regional Court by prosecutors from the National Prosecutor's Office.

Ziobro, who served as Poland's justice minister under the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government, faces 26 criminal charges.

They include issuing unlawful orders to direct public funds from the Justice Fund, a state programme intended to support crime victims, to favored entities and manipulating competitive grant processes.

On 5 February, Warsaw's Mokotów District Court ordered the pre-trial detention of Ziobro, finding a high probability he had committed the alleged offences.

A domestic arrest warrant was issued on 6 February.

Under Polish criminal procedure law, regional courts may issue European arrest warrants when suspects are believed to be in another EU country.

Prosecutors say all conditions for issuing the warrant have been met and no legal obstacles exist.

Investigators believe Ziobro is hiding in an EU member state to avoid prosecution. His whereabouts remain unknown.

The former justice minister has been under protection from Hungarian authorities since December, after Hungary’s ambassador informed Polish officials that asylum had been granted over fears of political persecution.

(ał)

Source: IAR