Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro Offers Foreign Questioning Amidst Criminal Charges
Zbigniew Ziobro, Poland's former justice minister and a prominent figure in the previous national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government, is reportedly in Hungary and has offered to be questioned there or in Brussels. This development follows the Polish parliament's decision on November 7, 2025, to strip him of his legal immunity, paving the way for him to face 26 criminal charges.
Ziobro, who served as justice minister from 2015 to 2023, is accused of serious offenses including establishing and leading a criminal group, abuse of power, embezzlement, and falsifying official documents. The charges primarily stem from the alleged misuse of the Justice Fund, a state program intended to support victims of crime and crime prevention. Prosecutors claim that under Ziobro's tenure, the fund was repurposed for political objectives, with auditors estimating approximately 150 million złoty (€34 million) was misused between 2018 and 2020. Allegations also include the unlawful financing of the purchase of Pegasus spyware, reportedly used to surveil opposition figures.
Location and Offer for Questioning
Ziobro's lawyer, Bartosz Lewandowski, confirmed that his client has provided prosecutors with two foreign addresses—one in Hungary and another in Brussels, Belgium—and expressed Ziobro's willingness to be questioned in either location. This offer is seen as an attempt to avoid pre-trial detention in Poland. Ziobro has reportedly been living in Brussels, where his wife works at the European Parliament, and has also been undergoing treatment for cancer.
His presence in Hungary has drawn attention, particularly after he met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest. Orbán, a close ally of Poland's former PiS administration, publicly condemned the legal actions against Ziobro as a 'political witch hunt' launched by the 'pro-Brusselian Polish government'. Ziobro himself has denied any wrongdoing, characterizing the investigation as a 'political vendetta' orchestrated by the current government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He has stated he will only return to Poland 'when the rule of law is restored'.
Polish Authorities' Response and Health Concerns
The Polish government has rejected Ziobro's proposal for questioning abroad. Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz asserted that questioning 'should take place in Poland, not in a location designated by the person who is to testify'. Prosecutors are anticipated to seek a European Arrest Warrant for Ziobro. The current ruling coalition, which took power in December 2023, has made accountability for alleged abuses by former PiS officials a priority.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation is Ziobro's ongoing battle with malignant esophageal cancer, diagnosed in November 2023. He has undergone intensive treatments, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and major surgery. Supporters, including over fifty Polish intellectuals and clergy, have appealed against his pre-trial detention, citing 'well-founded concerns about Ziobro's health and life' and the potential for his treatment to be suspended. However, a prosecutor's expert opinion, based on medical records but without direct examination, concluded that Ziobro's condition was good.
5 Comments
Habibi
No excuses! Face the music in Poland, Ziobro.
ZmeeLove
It's understandable that he wants to avoid pre-trial detention given his illness, but the integrity of the Polish justice system requires that high-profile figures face questioning within its jurisdiction. Perhaps a compromise on the conditions of questioning could be explored, rather than the location.
Muchacho
Regardless of whether this is a 'witch hunt' or legitimate prosecution, the public deserves clarity on how state funds were used and whether Pegasus spyware was illegally acquired. His offer to testify abroad is unusual but could be considered if it genuinely facilitates the truth, not just evasion.
Fuerza
His 'health' is a convenient excuse to evade accountability.
Ongania
The claims of a 'political vendetta' are often made in such cases, and the timing after a change in government does raise questions about motives. However, the specific charges of embezzling millions from the Justice Fund are grave and must be addressed regardless of political climate.