Poland asks US to hand over ex-minister over alleged fund misuse
Extradition Request and Political Context
WARSAW, July 27 (Reuters) - Poland asked the U.S. on Monday to extradite fugitive former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who faces 26 charges mainly related to the alleged misuse of money from a crime victims' fund for political purposes, prosecutors said.
Background on Zbigniew Ziobro and Judicial Reforms
Poland is seeking to prosecute Ziobro, the architect of changes to the Polish judicial system that the European Union has said undermined the rule of law during the 2015 to 2023 rule of the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS).
Official Statement on Extradition
"Today, a request for the pre-trial detention and extradition of Zbigniew Ziobro was transmitted through diplomatic channels to the competent authorities of the United States of America," the public prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Ziobro's Response to Allegations
Ziobro has denied wrongdoing and said he is the victim of a politically motivated campaign by the pro-EU ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Media Statements and Claims of Persecution
He told private broadcaster TV Republika on Monday he was not worried about the extradition request, and reiterated his claim that he is being persecuted for investigating alleged wrongdoing by people close to Tusk.
Asylum, Escape, and International Involvement
Asylum in Hungary and Escape to the US
Ziobro and his deputy Marcin Romanowski were granted asylum in Hungary by the previous nationalist government. Ziobro managed to flee to the U.S. on May 9, the day Hungary's new Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who had promised to revoke their refugee status, was sworn in.
US Visa Facilitation
Reuters has reported that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau had instructed senior State Department officials to facilitate and approve a visa for him.
Status of Marcin Romanowski
Romanowski's whereabouts are unknown.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, additional reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Chris Reese)
