Polish Parliament Removes Ex-Justice Minister's Immunity

Poland’s parliament voted on Friday to strip former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro of his immunity, allowing prosecutors to pursue charges of abuse of power and running an organised criminal group.

Ziobro, who served from 2015 to 2023 under the Law and Justice (PiS) government, was absent from the session and is reportedly abroad. He claims he will not receive a fair trial in Poland.

Prosecutors accuse him of misusing the Justice Fund meant for crime victims and authorising the purchase of Pegasus spyware. Ziobro also led controversial judicial reforms that drew criticism from the European Union over threats to judicial independence.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government has stepped up probes into alleged misconduct by former PiS officials. Ziobro has dismissed the case as politically motivated.

• Poland Parliament Lifts Immunity of Ex-Minister Zbigniew Ziobro Over Abuse of Power Allegations
• Former Justice Minister Ziobro Faces Charges for Misuse of Justice Fund and Pegasus Spyware Scandal
• Donald Tusk Government Targets Ex-PiS Officials as Prosecutors Pursue Ziobro Case

Several of his former deputies are already under investigation. One has received asylum in Hungary. Media reports suggest Ziobro is also in Hungary, though this has not been confirmed.

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With immunity lifted, prosecutors can now press charges and seek his arrest or extradition if he returns to Poland. The move signals an escalation in the country’s political and judicial conflict.