Former minister wanted by Poland granted asylum in Hungary

A minister in Poland’s previous right-wing government says he has received political asylum in Hungary as he faces charges of corruption at home.

Former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, from the conservative nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, posted on X on Monday that the Hungarian authorities had granted him protection.

He claimed that he had become the target of a “personal vendetta” by Poland’s centre-left Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

“I choose to fight against political banditry and lawlessness. I resist the advancing dictatorship,” Ziobro wrote.

Hungary did not initially confirm that it had granted Ziobro asylum.

The Foreign Ministry told the online news site telex: “The rule of law is in crisis in Poland, and many people are facing political persecution. In Hungary, politically persecuted people are granted asylum in accordance with EU law.”

In Warsaw, it was expected that the fugitive 55-year-old politician would receive protection in Hungary. His deputy, Marcin Romanowski, who was also wanted by the public prosecutor’s office, had been granted asylum there at the end of 2024.

Poland’s General Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Ziobro for 26 criminal offences, including suspicion of founding and membership in a criminal organization and suspicion of embezzlement of the equivalent of $41 million. According to investigators, he faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Ziobro has described the allegations as “reckless” and believes he is being persecuted for political reasons.

The Polish parliament lifted his immunity as a member of parliament in November.