Poland to seek extradition of ex-justice minister from US

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Warsaw: Poland will seek the formal extradition of former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro from the United States to face extensive corruption charges.

Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek confirmed the legal offensive after Ziobro publicly revealed he had successfully entered the U.S. from Europe.

Ziobro faces 26 severe criminal counts, including leading an organized criminal enterprise and embezzling nearly €40 million from a state crime-victims fund to illicitly purchase Israeli Pegasus spyware.

He previously hid in Hungary under the protection of right-wing ally Viktor Orbán, but fled immediately following the election of pro-EU Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who vowed to stop shielding international fugitives.

Poland's current government has invalidated Ziobro’s passports and demanded explanations from Washington regarding how he secured entry.

While Ziobro claims the prosecution is political revenge, Polish authorities intend to deploy every available bilateral treaty mechanism to force his return.