Democracy Digest: Former Polish Justice Minister Faces Legal Challenges
In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban tightens his control over the media following the acquisition of the country's largest tabloid, Blikk, by a pro-government publisher. Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, the far-right leader has been elected speaker of the lower house. Slovakia experiences a rise in petty theft, attributed to recent changes in its criminal code.
In Poland, scrutiny intensifies around politicians from the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), who governed from 2015 to 2023. The parliamentary affairs committee began considering lifting the immunity of former justice minister and PiS MP Zbigniew Ziobro. He faces allegations of abusing his position, some of which he has largely acknowledged.
Allegations Against Zbigniew Ziobro
- Misallocation of millions of euros from a crime prevention and victim support fund to the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA).
- The redirected funds enabled the CBA to acquire Pegasus surveillance software.
- An indictment was filed in October against Ziobro’s deputy justice minister, Michal Wos, related to the same issue.
- In late September, Polish police removed Ziobro from a plane to escort him to testify before the parliamentary commission investigating Pegasus spyware use under the previous PiS government.
"The National Prosecutor's Office plans to bring 26 charges against Ziobro, including the most serious accusing him of leading a criminal group within his ministry that favored entities linked to the justice minister," according to a detailed 158-page document submitted to the parliament speaker, Euronews reported.
These developments underscore the ongoing legal and political turmoil surrounding former PiS officials and their conduct during their administration.
Author's summary: Former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro faces multiple charges, including alleged misuse of public funds and leading a criminal group, reflecting increasing accountability for past government officials.