The paper analyses the grounds for reopening criminal proceedings stipulated in Article 540b of the Criminal Procedure Code. The author argues that, although the aim of the introduction of this provision to the CPC in 2011 was to facilitate the surrender under the European Arrest Warrant of persons pursued in order to execute a sentence issued in absentia in Poland, that aim has not been achieved due to the flaws in the provision indicated in the paper. The start of the time limit running for lodging a motion for a retrial under Article 540b CPC, as well as the optional nature of such retrial have been critically assessed. It has also been proved that the concerns originally expressed in the doctrine that the discussed grounds for reopening of court proceedings may undermine the stability of valid judgements issued in criminal cases did not come to fruition.