Polish court rejects European Arrest Warrant for ex‑minister Zbigniew Ziobro

Zbigniew Ziobro European Arrest Warrant extradition request Polish court United States

The Warsaw District Court ruled that the request for a European Arrest Warrant (ENA) against former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro was not justified, finding no evidence that he is present in, or plans to travel to, the EU or the United Kingdom. The decision, which cannot be appealed, means the ENA will not be issued for Ziobro.

Prosecutors have prepared an extensive extradition request to the United States, where Ziobro has been residing since leaving Hungary earlier this year. The request is under review by the International Cooperation Office of the National Prosecutor’s Office and will be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for formal transmission. Minister Waldemar Żurek also sent a letter to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seeking information on the legal basis of Ziobro’s stay in the United States.

Ziobro’s legal troubles stem from a criminal investigation into alleged misconduct in the Justice Fund, with prosecutors accusing him of 26 offences. After Hungary revoked his refugee status, he traveled to the United States, where he remains under investigation while the Polish authorities pursue extradition.