Warsaw court upholds European Arrest Warrant for Marcin Romanowski and dismisses request to question Donald Tusk

Rejection of the defense motion

The Warsaw Regional Court ruled on 27 August 2026 to dismiss an application to cancel the European Arrest Warrant issued against Marcin Romanowski. Defense attorney Bartosz Lewandowski filed the motion, arguing that the former deputy justice minister had left European Union jurisdiction and was residing in the Russian-controlled region of Transnistria. Judge Tomasz Grochowicz determined that the legal criteria for maintaining the warrant remain fulfilled, noting that Romanowski's precise whereabouts have not been verified. The judge explained that under Article 607a of the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure, an arrest warrant requires only a reasonable suspicion that a suspect may be present within EU territory. Court spokesperson Anna Ptaszek confirmed the ruling, adding that the warrant functions as an enforcement tool for the active domestic detention order.

The negative outcome of the searches conducted so far clearly indicates that the wanted person is taking advantage of freedom of movement within the Schengen area, thus the condition of a suspicion of the possibility of staying within the European Union territory is fully materialized.

Location disputes and prime ministerial testimony

The defense based its motion on correspondence Romanowski sent from Transnistria to request a safe conduct document, claiming he was residing in the city of Tiraspol. Postal records indicated the mailing was posted from the border city of Bendery two weeks after its drafting date, prompting the National Prosecutor's Office to question whether the claim was authentic. Lewandowski also petitioned the court to interrogate Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who stated publicly that partner security services in the region had confirmed with 99% probability that Romanowski was in Tiraspol. The Warsaw court left the request to question Tusk without examination, ruling that the prime minister's statement did not alter the legal basis for the warrant. Justice Minister and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek commented on the ruling, describing the defense motions as an attempt to avoid legal responsibility.

The European Arrest Warrant against Marcin Romanowski remains in force; the court did not grant the defense motions. That is all for the procedural theater and attempts to escape accountability for millions from the Justice Fund.

Ongoing investigation and safe conduct proceedings

Romanowski, a lawmaker for Law and Justice, remains under investigation for alleged financial offenses connected to the Justice Fund. Prosecutors accuse the former deputy minister of participating in an organized criminal group and manipulating state grant competitions. Romanowski previously stayed in Budapest before departing Hungary following political changes under Péter Magyar, which led Polish courts to expand the search internationally. The Warsaw Regional Court set a hearing for 30 September 2026 to review Romanowski's formal request for a safe conduct letter, which would permit him to remain at liberty while attending hearings. National Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Przemysław Nowak opposed the application, noting that Romanowski has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of law enforcement agencies and publicly stated he would not return voluntarily.

The procedural conduct of Marcin Romanowski to date does not guarantee compliance with the conditions of an eventual safe conduct letter.