Former minister wanted by Poland granted asylum in Hungary
A minister in Poland’s previous right-wing government said he was granted political asylum in Hungary while facing corruption charges at home.
Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, of the conservative nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, published on Monday on X that the Hungarian authorities had granted him protection.
He claimed he had become the target of a “personal vendetta” by Poland’s center-left Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
“I choose to fight against political banditry and anarchy. I resist the advance of dictatorship,” Ziobro wrote.
Hungary did not initially confirm that it had granted Ziobro asylum.
The Foreign Ministry told online news site Telex: “The rule of law is in crisis in Poland and many people face political persecution. In Hungary, politically persecuted people are granted asylum in accordance with EU law.”
In Warsaw, it was hoped that the 55-year-old fugitive politician would receive protection in Hungary. His deputy, Marcin Romanowski, also wanted by the prosecution, had obtained asylum there at the end of 2024.
The Polish Prosecutor General’s Office is investigating Ziobro for 26 criminal offenses, including suspicion of creating and belonging to a criminal organization and suspicion of embezzlement worth the equivalent of $41 million. According to investigators, he faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Ziobro called the allegations “reckless” and believes he is being persecuted for political reasons.
The Polish parliament lifted his immunity as an MP in November.
