Poland seeks European arrest warrant for ex-justice minister granted asylum in Hungary

Polish prosecutors have requested a European arrest warrant for former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who was granted political asylum in Hungary last month, amid allegations of large-scale misuse of public funds and abuse of power.

Poland’s prosecution service filed the request on Tuesday, according to public broadcaster TVP World, after domestic efforts to detain Ziobro failed.

Prosecutors said the former minister is “most likely hiding in a European Union country to avoid criminal liability” and that his current whereabouts remain unknown.

The move follows the issuance of a national arrest warrant last week, as well as a Warsaw court decision ordering Ziobro’s pre-trial detention.

Ziobro, who previously served as justice minister, is suspected of committing 26 criminal offenses, including the misuse of public funds and abuse of authority.

According to prosecutors, he is accused of establishing and leading what they described as an “organised criminal group” that allegedly diverted approximately €35.4 million ($42 million) from a state-run fund intended to support victims of crime.

However, Ziobro has denied accusations and claims to be a victim of a “political vendetta.”

Hungary granted Ziobro political asylum last month, a decision that has heightened tensions between Warsaw and Budapest and complicated Poland’s efforts to pursue the case through judicial channels.

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