US Reportedly Assisted Wanted Polish Ex-Minister in Visa Move
According to reports citing sources familiar with the matter, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau instructed senior officials within the US State Department to facilitate and approve a visa for Ziobro, who is wanted by Polish authorities.
The report claims Landau became aware of Ziobro’s situation earlier this year through the US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, and concluded that the former minister was being unfairly prosecuted.
He allegedly characterized the issue as “a national security issue,” according to the report.
Officials cited in the report described the decision to grant a visa to a politician facing criminal charges in a US-aligned country as “highly unusual.” The claim prompted concern in Warsaw, where Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said Poland expected closer consultation with its allies on such matters and vowed that authorities would “do everything” necessary to bring Ziobro to justice.
Ziobro is facing multiple charges related to alleged abuse of power during his tenure in office. Prosecutors accuse him of leading a group that diverted public funds to acquire Israeli-made Pegasus spyware, which was allegedly used to monitor political opponents and journalists. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
A member of Poland’s opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, Ziobro has rejected the accusations and argued that the investigation is politically motivated. The party governed Poland from 2015 until late 2023, after which a coalition led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk took office and launched a series of inquiries into alleged misconduct by the previous administration.
Reports also note that Poland issued an arrest warrant for Ziobro in November while he was in Budapest, where he remained after Hungary granted him political asylum under then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
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