The National Prosecutor's Office is seeking to apprehend former Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro by applying for a European arrest warrant. However, this process has been slowed by a complex procedural dispute regarding judicial appointments at the Warsaw District Court. A key figure in the controversy is Judge Dariusz Łubowski, whose removal investigators are demanding, citing potential lack of impartiality in reviewing the application against the politician from Sovereign Poland.

EAW Application

The National Prosecutor's Office is demanding the extradition of Zbigniew Ziobro in connection with an investigation concerning the Justice Fund in February 2026.

Conflict Over Judge

Investigators applied for the removal of Judge Dariusz Łubowski, questioning his impartiality in the case of the former minister.

Łubowski's Resignation

Judge Dariusz Łubowski resigned from heading the international section for criminal matters at the Warsaw District Court.

Procedural Decision

Judge Katarzyna Stasiów was retained in the panel tasked with deciding on the removal or retention of Judge Łubowski.

The application for the issuance of a European arrest warrant (EAW) against Zbigniew Ziobro was submitted by the National Prosecutor's Office on February 10, 2026. The investigation concerns irregularities in the management of funds from the Justice Fund, where the former minister holds the status of a suspect. The case immediately caused tension at the Warsaw District Court when Judge Dariusz Łubowski was appointed to review it. The prosecutor's office, citing the judge's previous rulings, applied for his recusal, fearing bias. The situation became precedent-setting when Judge Łubowski himself submitted his resignation from chairing the international section, which could be interpreted as an attempt to avoid political pressure. Meanwhile, another procedural deadlock arose within the court. Judge Katarzyna Stasiów, appointed to decide on the motion to recuse Łubowski, also became the subject of objections. Ultimately, she was retained in the adjudicating panel, meaning she will decide on the further fate of Judge Łubowski's case file. The Deputy Head of the Ministry of Justice, Dariusz Mazur, emphasized in the media that the ministry has no influence on the court's internal procedures and case assignments. In turn, Zbigniew Ziobro sharply commented on the actions in the court, calling them a "fix" and accusing the District Court of acting under the dictate of Judge Waldemar Żurek. The Polish judicial reform of 2015-2023 became the source of a prolonged conflict with European Union institutions, focusing on judicial independence and appointment procedures for common courts. The dynamics of events indicate a deep division within the legal community. On one hand, the prosecutor's office aims for swift processing of the EAW application; on the other hand, judicial mechanisms encounter barriers resulting from previous disputes over judges' status. The outcome of this clash will be of fundamental importance not only for Zbigniew Ziobro himself but also for the standards of treatment of individuals who previously held the highest state offices. The review of the EAW case currently remains suspended pending a final resolution of the composition of the adjudicating panel. 10 lutego — EAW application for Ziobro submitted EAW Dispute Timeline: February 10, 2026 — EAW Application; February 16, 2026 — Łubowski's Resignation; February 17, 2026 — Decision Regarding Judge Stasiów; February 18, 2026 — Further Procedures

Mentioned People

  • Zbigniew Ziobro — Former Minister of Justice, leader of Sovereign Poland, suspect in the Justice Fund case.
  • Dariusz Łubowski — Judge at the Warsaw District Court, appointed to the EAW case.
  • Dariusz Mazur — Deputy Minister of Justice commenting on the situation in the court.
  • Waldemar Żurek — Judge mentioned by Ziobro as allegedly influencing court decisions.