Poland seeks ex-minister Ziobro's extradition from US over fund misuse

Poland has officially sought the extradition of former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro from the United States, initiating a formal request based on allegations of misusing funds intended for crime victims. The public prosecutor's office has outlined 26 charges against Ziobro, with the majority centering on claims that money from a victim support fund was diverted for political activities. Authorities are pursuing Ziobro's trial to address these accusations.

Ziobro was a prominent figure during the judicial reforms implemented by the conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS) government between 2015 and 2023. These reforms drew criticism from the European Union for allegedly undermining judicial independence. Ziobro himself has refuted the charges, asserting that he is the target of a politically motivated case orchestrated by Poland's current pro-European governing coalition.

"A request for pre-trial detention and extradition of Ziobro was transmitted through diplomatic channels to the competent authorities of the United States of America," the prosecutor's office stated. Ziobro and his former deputy, Marcin Romanowski, had previously been granted asylum in Hungary under the former nationalist government. Reports indicate Ziobro fled to the U.S. on May 9, shortly after Hungary's new Prime Minister Peter Magyar took office and promised to revoke their refugee status. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reportedly directed officials to facilitate Ziobro's visa approval. The current whereabouts of Romanowski remain unknown.

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A request for pre-trial detention and extradition of Ziobro was transmitted through diplomatic channels to the competent authorities of the United States of America.