In fresh days, the subject of the Pegasus Investigative Committee and its actions towards erstwhile Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobry has become 1 of the most hot in Polish politics. Justice Minister and lawyer General Adam Bodnar announced that he would sign the commission's arrest request for Ziobra, which could have far-reaching political and legal consequences. What is the situation and what can we anticipate in the coming weeks?
Bodnar ready to sign the arrest request for Ziobra
Adam Bodnar in a Monday interview with TVN24 confirmed that he would sign a request from the Pegasus Investigative Commission for the arrest of Zbigniew Ziobra. – I have not yet physically received a request for arrest for Zbigniew Ziobry. But if I get it, I will sign it and direct it to the talker of the Sejm," Bodnar said.
The Minister of Justice stressed that the committee acts in accordance with the law and has the right to take various actions. At the same time, he pointed out that it would be the talker of the Sejm, Simon Holovnia, who would be liable for conducting the procedure to waive Ziobra's immunity. “It has to go to court again and the court has to make a decision,” Bodnar added.
The Pegasus Investigation Commission and the Ziebra case – what happened?
On Friday, Zbigniew Ziobro, a erstwhile Justice Minister and PiS MP, was forced to bring to the Sejm in the ace of police. He was expected to attest as a witness before the Pegasus investigation committee. The decision to halt and introduce the policy was taken by the territory Court in Warsaw. Ziobro voluntarily turned himself in to the officers who found him in the Warsaw office building where he interviewed tv Republika.
However, erstwhile Ziobro arrived at the Sejm, the committee ended the sitting and passed the motion for a 30-day witness detention. The deliberations began at 10:30 p.m., and Ziobro appeared at the site around 11:00 p.m. This decision has caused a storm among politicians and commentators.
Hołównia criticises the Commission's decision: "10 minutes wouldn't make a difference"
On Sunday, the talker of the Sejm Simon Holovnia expressed his views on the committee's actions. In his opinion, the committee should have waited for Ziobra alternatively of applying for detention. – Now this procedure will take weeks if not months – the Hołównia assessed.
The Marshal explained that the full procedure would now be much longer. “Now the committee has to conclude with the lawyer General, the lawyer General has to send the papers to me, I gotta send the papers of the committee, the committee has to study to the Sejm, the Sejm has to make a decision and then I am sending the papers to the lawyer General again,” explained Hołownia.
He besides added that "the price of not waiting for Mr. Ziobra these 10 minutes will be a fewer weeks if not – hopefully – a fewer months erstwhile this show will continue". The Holovnia expressed its opinion that the committee should have waited for Ziobra to question him alternatively of immediately requesting detention.
So, what's next for the Ziebra arrest?
Further procedural steps will play a key function in the coming days. After Adam Bodnar has signed the application, the paper will go to the talker of the Sejm, who will gotta carry out the full procedure of waiving Ziobra's immunity. The case will then return to the court, which will make the final decision on the arrest of the erstwhile minister.
Did the Pegasus Investigative Committee do the right thing by applying for arrest? Was the decision not to wait for Ziobra justified? These questions will most likely be discussed in the coming weeks, and the full issue may have a crucial impact on the Polish political scene.
Summary
The case of Zbigniew Ziobry and the Pegasus Investigative Committee is an example of how complicated legal procedures can be in the case of high-ranking politicians. Decisions taken in fresh days will have far-reaching consequences, and the full procedure could take weeks or even months. Did the committee do the right thing? Time will tell, but 1 thing is certain – this subject will long be in the media and public debate.
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Adam Bodnar announces signing an arrest application for Zbigniew Ziobry
