A former Polish minister under investigation for alleged abuse of power during his time in the conservative-nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government has been granted political asylum in Hungary.
Zbigniew Ziobro, who served as justice minister, was a leading figure in the PiS government and played a key role in its controversial judicial reforms. Critics say these reforms weakened the rule of law and judicial independence, leading to a prolonged conflict with the European Union.
After the PiS government lost power in 2023, Poland has been led by a pro-European coalition under former European Council president Donald Tusk, who pledged to address alleged corruption and misuse of state resources during PiS’s eight-year rule.
Ziobro is facing 26 charges, with prosecutors investigating claims that he led a criminal group and abused his position by misusing a fund intended to support crime victims. Polish media report that the funds are alleged to have been used for political patronage and to acquire Pegasus spyware, which was reportedly deployed against domestic political opponents. Ziobro denies all allegations.
On Monday, he stated on social media that he was committed to “fighting against political banditry and lawlessness,” calling himself a victim of a “personal vendetta” by Tusk. “I have decided to remain abroad until genuine guarantees of the rule of law are restored in Poland,” he said, thanking Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for granting him asylum.
At a press conference in Warsaw, Ziobro’s lawyer, Bartosz Lewandowski, argued that the former minister would not receive a fair trial in Poland. Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, confirmed in Budapest that Hungarian authorities had granted asylum to “several” individuals facing “political persecution” in Poland, though he did not provide names.
Marcin Romanowski, who served as deputy justice minister under Ziobro, sought asylum in Hungary in late 2024 after being named a suspect in a related case.
Polish government spokesperson Adam Szłapka said Ziobro’s asylum claim showed that “the sheriff proved to be nothing but a coward.”
In November, the Polish parliament lifted Ziobro’s parliamentary immunity. Prosecutors have requested his temporary arrest, with a hearing expected this week. In December, his passports were invalidated in an effort to prevent him from leaving the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Hungary granting asylum to a former Polish minister designed to be clear and conversational
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What actually happened in simple terms
Hungary has granted political asylum to a former Polish government minister Mariusz Kamiski Poland wants him back because he was convicted and sentenced for abuse of power in a case related to his time as a minister
2 Who is Mariusz Kamiski
He is a former Polish interior minister and a close political ally of Polands previous ruling party Law and Justice He was a key figure in Polands anticorruption agency
3 What is he accused of
In Poland he was convicted of abuse of power for authorizing an anticorruption operation in 2007 that a court later ruled was illegal He and his associates were sentenced to prison in December 2023
4 What does granting asylum mean here
It means Hungary has officially recognized him as someone who would face political persecution not a fair legal process if he were sent back to Poland Hungary is therefore offering him protection and refusing Polands request for his extradition
5 Why is this a big deal between Poland and Hungary
Both countries were traditionally close allies under their previous conservative governments This move is seen as Hungary directly interfering in Polands domestic legal affairs and protecting a politician from the allied party that is now in opposition
Advanced Political Context Questions
6 Why would Hungary do this Whats in it for them
This is widely seen as a political move not just a legal one Analysts suggest several reasons
Solidarity with Allies Supporting figures from Polands previous PiS government which was a key partner for Hungarys PM Viktor Orbán within the EU
Political Signaling Sending a message against the current Polish government which is more proEU and critical of Orbáns policies
Domestic Narrative Reinforcing Orbáns narrative of fighting against a politically weaponized justice system a claim he also makes about the EU
7 Isnt this a violation of EU rules on judicial cooperation
It creates a major conflict EU member states are supposed to trust each others judicial systems and cooperate on legal matters including the execution of European Arrest Warr
