Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Polish Parliament Strips Ex-Minister Ziobro of Immunity Amid Allegations
Poland's parliament voted to take away the special protection, called immunity, from a former top government official named Zbigniew Ziobro.
This means he could be arrested and charged with many crimes.
Some of the accusations include using money wrongly to buy spying software and abusing his power.
Ziobro was the justice minister for many years under the previous government.
He decided not to go to the vote in Poland because he says the new government is unfairly targeting him, like a 'witch hunt,' and he won't get a fair chance to defend himself.
He is currently believed to be in Hungary, a country led by a leader who is friends with Ziobro and has also criticized Poland's actions.
If found guilty, Ziobro could face serious consequences.
The Polish lower house of parliament voted to strip former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro of his immunity.
Ziobro is facing potential charges for 26 crimes, including abuse of power and misuse of funds to purchase Pegasus spyware.
The former minister, who served from 2015-2023, did not attend the parliamentary vote and remains abroad.
Ziobro claims the investigation is a politically motivated 'witch hunt' and that he would not receive a fair hearing in Poland.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed support for Ziobro, calling the investigation a 'political witch hunt'.
- Who
- Zbigniew Ziobro, former Polish Justice Minister, and the current Polish government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
- What
- The Polish parliament voted to strip former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro of his immunity, paving the way for potential arrest and charges.
- When
- The vote took place on Friday, following parliamentary proceedings.
- Where
- Parliamentary proceedings occurred in Warsaw, Poland, while Ziobro is reportedly in Budapest, Hungary.
- Why
- Prosecutors want to charge Ziobro with 26 crimes, including abuse of power and misusing funds for Pegasus spyware. Ziobro claims the investigation is a politically motivated 'witch hunt' and he would not receive a fair trial in Poland.
Government's Position
Ziobro's Position
Allegations and Investigation
Government's Position
Prosecutors seek to charge Ziobro with 26 crimes, including abuse of power and heading an organized criminal group, with specific allegations of misusing the Justice Fund to purchase Pegasus spyware.
Ziobro's Position
Ziobro claims the allegations are a politically motivated 'witch hunt' by the government in retaliation for his past actions and that he will not receive a fair hearing in Poland.
Ziobro's Location and Attendance
Government's Position
Ziobro has opted to remain abroad while the parliamentary vote on his immunity proceeds.
Ziobro's Position
Ziobro states he is in Budapest and that the current government would prevent him from responding to allegations, suggesting he would not be treated fairly.
Hungarian Support
Government's Position
The Polish government is pursuing legitimate investigations into alleged wrongdoing.
Ziobro's Position
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an ally of Ziobro, has publicly supported Ziobro, calling the investigation a 'political witch hunt'.
- Former Minister
- Zbigniew Ziobro
- Position Held
- Justice Minister (2015-2023)
- Political Party Affiliation
- Law and Justice (PiS)
- Allegations
- 26 crimes including abuse of power, heading an organized criminal group, misuse of Justice Fund for Pegasus spyware.
- Location
- Reportedly in Budapest, Hungary.
- Parliamentary Action
- Lower house voted to strip him of immunity.
- Related Cases
- Several former deputies also face investigations; one fled to Hungary and was granted asylum.