Poland Demands U. S. Return of Former Justice Minister on Corruption Charges

Poland has formally requested the United States to hand over former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is currently on the run after facing 26 accusations of diverting funds from a crime‑victims’ trust for political ends. The request was transmitted through diplomatic channels, according to the Polish public prosecutor’s office.

Background

Ziobro played a pivotal role in reshaping Poland’s judiciary during the Law and Justice party’s decade‑long rule. European Union officials have criticized those reforms as a threat to the rule of law, and Poland now seeks to prosecute him for alleged misuse of public money.

Current Status

• Denial of Misconduct: Ziobro denies any wrongdoing, claiming the charges are part of a politically driven attack by Poland’s pro‑EU coalition.
• Legal Proceedings: The prosecutor’s office insists that a pre‑trial detention order and extradition request have been formally forwarded to U.S. authorities.
• Flight to the United States: The former minister escaped to the U.S. on May 9 after Hungary granted him and his deputy, Marcin Romanowski, asylum under the previous nationalist government. The new Hungarian prime minister vowed to withdraw that status, prompting Ziobro’s flight.
• U.S. Involvement: U.S. officials reportedly approved his visa after instructions from Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
• Unknown Location: Romanowski’s current whereabouts remain unknown, adding uncertainty to the case.

Poland now awaits a response from Washington on whether it will comply with the extradition demand.