The prosecutor’s office has ordered asset security measures against MP Zbigniew Ziobro. These include placing a compulsory mortgage on his real estate, as well as seizing funds in the bank account of the former minister of justice.
The decision concerning the former justice minister was made by a prosecutor on November 12 of this year.
How does the prosecutor’s office justify the decision?
“The asset security measure is intended to ensure the enforceability of future court rulings of a financial nature—such as fines, compensation orders, forfeiture, or the return of benefits—by preventing the suspect from disposing of, encumbering, or hiding his assets,”
explained National Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Przemysław Nowak.
Investigators referred to Article 291 §1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It states that if a suspect is accused of committing an offense for which a fine or compensatory measure (such as an obligation to repair damages) may be imposed, the prosecutor may secure the enforcement of such a ruling on the suspect’s property ex officio, if there is a justified concern that without such security the ruling’s enforcement would be impossible or significantly hindered.
Last week, the National Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion with the Warsaw–Mokotów District Court to detain Ziobro for three months. The court hearing in the case is scheduled for December 22. The politician is abroad, where he is undergoing oncology treatment.
The Sejm lifted Ziobro’s immunity on November 7 with regard to all 26 charges the prosecutor’s office intends to bring against him in connection with the Justice Fund case. The Sejm also agreed to his arrest and detention. This was based on the opinion of a medical expert who stated that Ziobro’s condition is sufficiently stable to allow procedural actions to be carried out. His political allies argue that detention could lead to a radical deterioration of his health.