Poland Questions US Visa Decision in Case Involving Former Justice Minister

(MENAFN) Poland’s foreign minister has accused the United States of political interference following the decision to grant a visa to former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is facing criminal charges in Poland.

According to reports, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview that Warsaw views the move as an intrusion into Poland’s internal affairs and that he personally conveyed the government’s concerns to a senior US official.

He also claimed that Ziobro obtained a journalist visa under misleading circumstances and indicated intentions to engage in political activity among the Polish diaspora in the United States.

Polish authorities have brought 26 charges against Ziobro, relating to alleged misuse of funds from the Justice Fund, a state program intended to support victims of crime. Prosecutors allege that the money may have been redirected for political purposes, alongside other accusations tied to procurement decisions, including surveillance tools allegedly used against journalists and opposition figures. Ziobro denies the allegations and insists the case is politically motivated.

Reports indicate that the current Polish government views ensuring Ziobro’s appearance before a domestic court as an important test of judicial accountability following reforms and disputes that date back to the previous Law and Justice administration.

The controversy intensified after reports suggested that senior US officials played a role in speeding up the visa approval process.

Despite the dispute, Poland remains a close security ally of the United States, maintaining extensive cooperation in defense programs such as F-35 fighter deliveries, Patriot missile systems, and broader NATO eastern flank initiatives.

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