# Fugitive Polish Politician Zbigniew Ziobro Spotted at Mar-a-Lago Gala Poland seeks extradition of former justice minister currently facing multiple criminal charges in Warsaw. - **Source:** [Notes from Poland](https://notesfrompoland.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2fd88050-b966-4f0a-9b4e-8cd4023af300 ## High-Profile Appearance in Florida Zbigniew Ziobro, a former Polish justice minister currently wanted by authorities, was photographed attending a gala at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. The event was hosted by CPAC, a conservative organization with close ties to the Republican Party. Images show Ziobro dining and interacting with prominent political figures during the luxury gathering. ## Extensive Criminal Allegations Polish prosecutors intend to charge Ziobro with 26 separate crimes, including leading a criminal organization and the unlawful procurement of Pegasus spyware. These charges stem from his tenure as justice minister between 2015 and 2023. The current government claims these actions undermined the rule of law within the Polish judicial system. ## A History of Evasion Ziobro initially fled to Hungary, where he was granted political asylum by the government of Viktor Orbán in December 2025. Following the electoral defeat of Orbán’s Fidesz party in April 2026, Ziobro relocated to the United States. Reports suggest he received assistance from a senior US State Department official during his transit. ## Diplomatic Pressure for Extradition In July 2026, the Polish National Prosecutor’s Office formally requested that US authorities detain and extradite Ziobro to face trial. As of late October, Warsaw reported receiving no official response from the American government. Polish officials emphasize that they would cooperate similarly if an American fugitive were found on their territory. ## Official Polish Government Stance Current Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek expressed frustration regarding the lack of cooperation from Washington. He stated that he hopes for true friendship between the nations, implying that the US should honor the extradition request. Żurek remains committed to pursuing the case to its conclusion despite the complex international political dynamics involved. ## Political Defense and Counterclaims Ziobro maintains his innocence, characterizing the ongoing investigations as an act of political revenge orchestrated by the current ruling coalition. He has publicly stated that he is willing to face the Polish justice system only when he believes the rule of law has been fully restored in his home country. ## Conservative Network Connections The CPAC event served as a platform for various figures aligned with the Law and Justice (PiS) party. Nikodem Rachoń, an advisor to Polish President Karol Nawrocki, was also listed as a speaker at the conference. These connections highlight the ongoing ideological alignment between Polish opposition figures and the American conservative movement. ## Future Legal Uncertainties The situation remains a significant point of friction in Polish-American diplomatic relations. While Polish officials hope that shifting power dynamics in Washington might eventually weaken the protective umbrella Ziobro currently enjoys, the legal path forward remains unclear. The case continues to test the limits of international judicial cooperation and political asylum. ## Sources covering this story - https://notesfrompoland.com/2026/11/09/fugitive-polish-opposition-politician-attends-gala-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-resort/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._