Polish court upholds doctors' acquittal in Jerzy Ziobry case

On 23 July 2026 the Kraków Regional Court issued a final, binding verdict in the long‑running case over the 2006 death of Jerzy Ziobry, father of former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobry. The court confirmed the acquittal of three physicians – Professor Jacek D., Dr Katarzyna S. and Dr Andrzej K. – and dismissed the charge against a fourth, Professor Dariusz D., on grounds of the statute of limitations.

The prosecution, which had originally pursued the doctors, changed its stance during the appeal, concluding that the evidence did not allow a clear determination of medical error. The family, represented by Krystyna Kornicka‑Ziobro, had requested a reversal, arguing that expert opinions were biased, but the ruling was upheld.

Zbigniew Ziobro said the decision “does not bring my father back, but it confirms the truth we have fought for for twenty years.” One of the doctors, Professor Dariusz Dudek, said he “does not feel responsible” and emphasized that the treatment choice was made with the patient’s consent. The verdict ends a nearly two‑decade legal battle that has been one of Poland’s most high‑profile medical‑malpractice cases.