Masiak, a former mixed martial arts fighter turned influencer, is accused of belonging to an organised crime group involved in drug trafficking and car theft. He was arrested on September at Hamburg Airport under a European Arrest Warrant, reportedly while preparing to fly to the United Arab Emirates.
On 28 October, the Hamburg Higher Regional Court ruled that his extradition was legally permissible, according to Polsat News. The decision still requires formal approval from Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
Masiak’s lawyer, Gregor P. Jezierski, told TVN24 that the defence had filed an appeal and a request for political asylum in Germany, arguing that his client could become “a pawn in the intensifying conflict between the Polish government and the presidency” ahead of upcoming elections.
Jezierski called the court’s decision “a misunderstanding,” claiming it “failed to take into account the political sensitivity of the case in Poland.”
Poland’s Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński reacted online, writing: “‘Wielki Bu’ and the great return to Poland. The German court has agreed to extradition. His friends are waiting.”
Extradition likely by year’s end, pending German approval
Deputy Justice Minister Dariusz Mazur told Polsat News that the extradition process is expected to take about a month. Masiak is likely to be transferred to Poland by the end of the year, pending formal approval from Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office following his request for asylum.
The case has attracted particular attention in Poland because of Masiak’s past connection to President Karol Nawrocki. During his presidential campaign earlier this year, photos resurfaced showing the two men together at the Institute of National Remembrance, which Nawrocki previously headed.
Asked about the relationship, the president told the online channel Kanał Zero that he knew Masiak “only as a sparring partner,” explaining: “He’s a huge guy - about 140 kilos - and at one point, he didn’t have anyone to train with. That’s all there was between us.”
For now, Masiak remains in custody in Germany. His lawyer says extradition “could happen at any moment” once the prosecutor gives formal clearance.
A photo of Patryk Masiak vel "Wielki Bu" (left), with Karol Nawrocki (right) caused a stir during Poland's presidential campaign. It has since been deleted from Instagram, tough screenshots continue to circulate online.
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Source: Polish Radio English Service/TVN24/Polsat News/Kanał Zero/PR24/X/@MKierwinski