Judge Assigned to European Arrest Warrant Case for Ex-Minister Ziobro

Judge Tomasz Grochowicz has been assigned to handle a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) request concerning Zbigniew Ziobro, the former Polish Minister of Justice. Grochowicz was randomly selected for the case after Judge Joanna Grabowska was recused last Tuesday at the request of the National Prosecutor's Office.

In February, the District Court for Warsaw-Mokotów agreed to a pre-trial detention request for Ziobro. Subsequently, an EAW was issued. Judge Grabowska was initially appointed to handle this request in late February. However, on May 27, the National Prosecutor's Office asked for her recusal, citing her ownership of 102 shares in TV Republika, a media outlet where Ziobro, currently residing in the USA, might seek employment.

Aneta Gąsińska from the Warsaw District Court's information department confirmed to PAP on Monday that Judge Grochowicz is now the new reporting judge for the EAW case against the former minister. Ziobro is a suspect in an investigation into alleged irregularities within the Justice Fund. He confirmed on May 10 that he was in the United States, having previously spent several months in Hungary, where he received international protection under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government.

According to the prosecution's statement on May 9, Ziobro flew from Milan to New York, using a visa designated for "members of foreign media." The case continues to unfold as legal proceedings are initiated against the former minister, who faces allegations of financial misconduct and is currently abroad.