Bogusław Chrabota: The Ziobro case is becoming deadly baggage for PiS

The case involving Zbigniew Ziobro has become so politically burdensome for Poland’s Law and Justice party that it could eventually become uncomfortable for the United States as well, Bogusław Chrabota writes.

If the case is now nothing more than an image liability for PiS, the message sent to the White House could be blunt: there is no longer any need to protect this man. In that event, Ziobro could face trial in Poland.

Ziobro is not untouchable in the United States, the commentary argues. Until recently, extradition cases involving people wanted in Poland or elsewhere in the European Union remained in the hands of independent judges. Chrabota recalls the case of Edward Mazur, who was suspected in the killing of General Marek Papała. Judge Keys pointed out errors in Poland’s extradition request and ultimately rejected it.

Mazur never returned to Poland, and his connection to the murder was never proven. The case was eventually discontinued in 2014. For Chrabota, that episode shows that extradition depends on legal proceedings, while the political burden surrounding the Ziobro case may now be becoming too heavy for PiS to carry.