Polish court fast-tracks Ziobro arrest hearing; Justice Minister to ask U.S. immigration for intervention
The Warsaw District Court abruptly rescheduled a hearing on the arrest warrant for former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro to July 1, while current minister Waldemar Żurek vowed to ask U.S. immigration authorities to review Ziobro's entry.
A sudden court date shift
The Warsaw District Court announced on Thursday that a hearing on the appeal against the temporary arrest of former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro will now take place on July 1, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. – more than two months earlier than the previously scheduled September 8 date. The change was attributed to adjustments in the vacation plans of the three-judge panel. Additional backup dates have been set for July 3 and 6. The appeal was filed by Ziobro's lawyer, Bartosz Lewandowski, after a lower court in Warsaw-Mokotów ordered a three-month arrest on February 5 in connection with the high‑profile Justice Fund investigation.
The charges that investigators intend to bring against Ziobro are not even substantially substantiated, therefore there is no possibility of ordering any preventive measures.
The man in the United States
Ziobro, who had been granted political asylum in Hungary under Viktor Orbán's government, left Budapest after Orbán lost the April elections. According to the Polish National Prosecutor's Office, he departed Europe on May 9, flying from Milan, and entered the United States the following day using a visa intended for members of the foreign media. He is now based in the Washington, D.C. area and has taken up a role as a political commentator for Polish broadcaster TV Republika.
The Justice Fund charges
Prosecutors have prepared 26 charges against Ziobro, including leading an organized criminal group and abuse of power in the distribution of grants from the Justice Fund. The group allegedly misappropriated over 150 million złoty. Former deputy justice minister Marcin Romanowski is also a suspect, facing 19 charges. Both men deny any wrongdoing and claim the proceedings are politically motivated. Romanowski is believed to be somewhere in Europe; his exact whereabouts are unknown.
- Warsaw-Mokotów court orders temporary arrest for Ziobro
- Ziobro leaves Europe from Milan
- Ziobro enters the United States
- Warsaw District Court moves hearing to July 1
- Scheduled hearing on arrest warrant appeal
Minister Żurek targets U.S. immigration agency
In a television appearance on Thursday, current Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said his ministry is analyzing the travel documents that allowed Ziobro into the United States. If it can be shown that the Hungarian documents were issued on political rather than legal grounds, Żurek intends to approach U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
I would like to ask ICE if there is any 'lex Ziobro' law in the States that allows him to be treated on different terms.
Żurek also hopes to persuade the new Hungarian government to annul the documents. An extradition request has been prepared, and Polish authorities have already issued a domestic arrest warrant and applied for a European Arrest Warrant.
