The ongoing saga surrounding Zbigniew Ziobro, the former Minister of Justice and current member of the Law and Justice party (PiS), has taken another twist as the Warsaw District Court ruled against his arrest on March 31, 2025. The court's decision comes after a request from the parliamentary inquiry committee investigating the controversial use of the Pegasus surveillance software, which has sparked significant political debate in Poland.
Magdalena Sroka, chair of the Pegasus Committee, expressed her disappointment at the court's ruling, stating, "We respect the decision, but fundamentally disagree with it." She emphasized that the commission would appeal the ruling, indicating that they remain committed to holding Ziobro accountable for his repeated absences from scheduled hearings.
Ziobro has notably failed to appear before the committee five times, prompting the inquiry group to seek a disciplinary penalty of up to 30 days of arrest. This request was initially made two months prior, on January 31, 2025, the same day a hearing was scheduled for him. The police detained Ziobro after he finished an interview at Telewizja Republika, but he arrived at the Sejm building only after the committee had already voted on his potential arrest.
During a press conference following the court's decision, Marcin Bosacki from the Civic Coalition (KO) announced that the committee would initiate a new procedure to summon Ziobro. "His joy is temporary. This is just the first round. We will appeal this court decision," Bosacki stated, highlighting the committee's determination to ensure that Ziobro is questioned regarding his role in the Pegasus scandal.
Witold Zembaczyński, another KO member, added, "This loss does not mean that there will be no questioning of Zbigniew Ziobro. The legal order in Poland does not function in such a way that anyone can be late for any summons. We will continue to summon him for further hearings. He is merely buying time. Where is he now?"
The Pegasus Committee was established to investigate the alleged illegal use of the Pegasus software by the Polish government and security services during the PiS administration. The inquiry aims to determine who was responsible for procuring the software and whether its use complied with Polish law.
In a dramatic turn of events, Ziobro published a police note on social media, which he claims proves the committee's misconduct. The note indicates that a police officer communicated with Sroka around 10:10 AM on January 31, confirming that if Ziobro was detained shortly before the committee's scheduled start time of 10:30 AM, a break would be called to allow for his transportation. Ziobro argued that this information undermines the committee's claims of being unaware of his detention.
"The police note exposes lies and a provocation orchestrated by Donald Tusk and the chair of the illegal Pegasus committee, Magdalena Sroka," Ziobro remarked. He asserted that the committee's actions were politically motivated rather than aimed at genuine inquiry. "The police note is further undeniable evidence that the illegal committee obtained court approval for my detention not for questioning but for pure political theatrics," he added.
As the court proceedings unfold, the political implications continue to grow. Sroka responded to inquiries about the committee's knowledge of Ziobro's detention, stating, "The will and desire to question Zbigniew Ziobro existed. However, he did everything to avoid being detained for questioning." This remark underscores the ongoing tension between the committee and Ziobro, who has been vocal in his criticism of the inquiry.
The court's ruling has reignited discussions about the legality of the Pegasus Committee itself. In a previous ruling, the Constitutional Tribunal declared that the Sejm's resolution to establish the committee was unconstitutional, a decision that has not been published in the Official Journal. This backdrop of legal uncertainty adds further complexity to the ongoing saga.
As the Pegasus Committee prepares to appeal the court's decision, the political landscape remains charged. The committee's members, including Sroka, Bosacki, and Zembaczyński, are determined to ensure that Ziobro is held accountable for his actions and that the truth surrounding the Pegasus scandal is uncovered.
With the appeal process set in motion, the next steps in this unfolding drama will be closely watched by both political analysts and the public. The implications of the court's decision and the committee's response could shape the future of political accountability in Poland, particularly concerning the use of surveillance technology by the state.
