Poland has officially requested the United States to extradite former Minister of Justice and Chief Prosecutor Zbigniew Ziobro alongside his former deputy, Marcin Romanowski, according to the MTI news agency and the Polish prosecutor’s office. The extradition and preliminary arrest requests were transmitted through diplomatic channels on Monday. Both officials face 26 criminal charges, predominantly connected to the alleged politically motivated use of funds from a state foundation designed to assist crime victims.
Extradition Request and Criminal Charges Against Former Polish Officials
The Polish prosecutor’s office confirmed that formal paperwork was sent to relevant U.S. authorities on Monday to secure the return of the two high-ranking figures. Ziobro served as a principal architect of the judicial reforms enacted between 2015 and 2023 under the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party government. Political opponents have argued that these reforms severely undermined the rule of law in Poland.
Ziobro has consistently denied all allegations brought against him, characterizing the ongoing proceedings as a politically motivated attack orchestrated by the current governing coalition in Warsaw. Following political shifts in Hungary, where Ziobro and Romanowski had previously sought and received asylum under the government of Viktor Orbán, Ziobro departed for the United States on May 9. That departure coincided with the assumption of office by Péter Magyar, who had previously pledged to revoke their refugee status.
Did You Know? Zbigniew Ziobro departed for the United States on May 9, precisely on the day Péter Magyar took office as Hungary’s new prime minister, following earlier promises from Magyar to revoke the asylum status previously granted to Ziobro and his former deputy by the Orbán administration.
International Asylum and Political Reactions
The case has drawn sharp criticism from international figures, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán previously asserted that the Brussels-aligned Polish government launched a political witch hunt directed against the Polish right wing, viewing the legal proceedings against Ziobro as part of that broader campaign. In 2024, the Orbán administration also accepted Marcin Romanowski, whom Direkt36 later tracked down at the residence of a staff member belonging to the Fidesz parliamentary faction.
In a Washington interview recorded by the Polish commercial news broadcaster Polsat News, Ziobro defended his decision to relocate to the U.S. He stated that any prospective extradition proceedings in America would prevent Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek from manipulating the judicial process. Ziobro emphasized that he does not fear facing an independent court and intends to return to Poland if given the opportunity. Meanwhile, the current whereabouts of Marcin Romanowski remain unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific charges do Zbigniew Ziobro and Marcin Romanowski face?
They face 26 criminal charges, which predominantly involve the alleged politically motivated misuse of financial resources from a fund established to assist victims of crime, according to state and prosecutorial reports.
Why did Zbigniew Ziobro travel to the United States?
Ziobro traveled to the U.S. on May 9—the day Péter Magyar assumed office—after the new Hungarian prime minister promised to revoke the refugee status that Ziobro and Romanowski had previously obtained under the government of Viktor Orbán.
What is the current status of Marcin Romanowski?
Marcin Romanowski received asylum in Hungary in 2024 and was later located by Direkt36 at the home of a Fidesz faction staff member, but his exact current whereabouts are unknown.
How will international legal standards handle competing political narratives regarding the extradition of former government officials?
Related reading