Polish prosecution seeks exclusion of third judge in Ziobro’s European Arrest Warrant case
On June 3, the National Prosecutor’s Office asked the Warsaw Court of Appeal to remove Judge Dariusz Drajewicz from an appeal linked to the European Arrest Warrant against former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, citing his career history under Ziobro’s oversight.
Appeal and first exclusion
The European Arrest Warrant case against Zbigniew Ziobro has faced repeated procedural hurdles. After the Warsaw District Court on 26 March refused to suspend the EAW proceedings pending a final detention ruling, Ziobro’s lawyer filed an appeal. The case was randomly assigned to Judge Anna Nowakowska, but the prosecution questioned her impartiality. On 19 May, the National Prosecutor’s Office moved to exclude her, and on 28 May the court agreed, according to court spokeswoman Judge Alicja Fronczyk.
Second exclusion sought
A new judge, Dariusz Drajewicz, was drawn to hear the appeal. On Wednesday, however, the prosecution filed another exclusion motion. Spokesman Przemysław Nowak said the "key argument" is the judge’s career path: before his appointment to the Warsaw Court of Appeal, Drajewicz served in higher courts under delegations granted by then-Justice Minister Ziobro. The motion also notes that Drajewicz was appointed via the restructured National Council of the Judiciary, with his candidacy submitted by Law and Justice MPs; Ziobro himself voted for the list of candidates.
The key argument for the exclusion of Judge Drajewicz is the course of his judicial career.
Parallel exclusion in main EAW case
In the separate main proceedings for the EAW itself, Judge Joanna Grabowska was removed on 2 June. The prosecution had argued that she owns 102 shares of Telewizja Republika S.A., a broadcaster that recently hired Ziobro as a US correspondent. "In the prosecutor’s opinion, a judge holding shares in a company where the suspect is employed may raise public doubts about impartiality, regardless of actual bias," the National Prosecutor’s Office stated. A replacement judge has not yet been drawn; the court expects a new draw by Friday or Monday.
She holds 102 shares in Telewizja Republika S.A.
Background and charges
Ziobro, a former justice minister and current Law and Justice MP, faces 26 charges including leading an organized criminal group and abusing his ministerial office in connection with the Justice Fund. An initial court approved his pre‑trial detention in February, prompting the EAW request. Ziobro left Hungary in mid‑May and moved to the United States, where he began working as a commentator for TV Republika.
- Warsaw District Court refuses to suspend EAW proceedings.
- Prosecutor files motion to exclude Judge Nowakowska from EAW appeal.
- Prosecutor files motion to exclude Judge Grabowska from main EAW case.
- Court grants exclusion of Judge Nowakowska.
- Court grants exclusion of Judge Grabowska.
- Prosecutor files motion to exclude Judge Drajewicz from EAW appeal.
