Hungary Grants Asylum to Former Polish Minister Amidst Political Turmoil
Published 12 January 2026
Highlights
- Hungary has granted asylum to former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who faces 26 charges of embezzlement and abuse of power in Poland.
- Ziobro is accused of misusing funds intended for crime victims to purchase Pegasus spyware, allegedly used against political opponents.
- The asylum decision highlights tensions between Poland's current pro-European government and the previous PiS-led administration, which Ziobro was part of.
- Ziobro claims he is a victim of political persecution by Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk and vows to fight against what he calls "political banditry."
- Hungary's asylum grant to Ziobro, a move criticized for undermining EU standards, follows a similar case involving his former deputy, Marcin Romanowski.
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Rewritten Article
Hungary Grants Asylum to Former Polish Minister Amidst Political Turmoil
Hungary has granted political asylum to Zbigniew Ziobro, Poland's former Justice Minister, who is embroiled in a high-profile legal battle over alleged embezzlement and abuse of power. Ziobro, a prominent figure in Poland's former Law and Justice (PiS) government, faces 26 charges, including accusations of misappropriating funds meant for crime victims to purchase the controversial Pegasus spyware. This software was allegedly used to target political opponents, a claim that has intensified political tensions in Poland.
Allegations and Political Context
Ziobro's tenure as Justice Minister from 2015 to 2023 was marked by controversial judiciary reforms that critics argue undermined judicial independence and strained relations with the European Union. These reforms led to a freeze on EU funds for Poland and sparked legal battles with the European Court of Justice. Since the PiS government was ousted in 2023, Poland has been governed by a pro-European coalition led by Donald Tusk, who campaigned on addressing corruption and abuse of power during PiS's rule.
Asylum in Hungary
The decision by Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to grant asylum to Ziobro is not unprecedented. It follows a similar case involving Marcin Romanowski, Ziobro's former deputy, who sought refuge in Hungary amid related allegations. Hungary's Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, confirmed that several individuals facing "political persecution" in Poland have been granted asylum, though he declined to name them.
Ziobro's Defense
Ziobro has consistently denied the charges, framing them as a personal vendetta orchestrated by Tusk. On social media, he expressed his determination to "fight against political banditry and lawlessness," asserting that he would remain abroad until Poland restores genuine rule of law guarantees. His lawyer, Bartosz Lewandowski, argued that Ziobro would not receive a fair trial in Poland, a claim dismissed by Polish government spokesperson Adam Szłapka, who criticized Ziobro's asylum claim as cowardice.
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Scenario Analysis
The asylum granted to Ziobro by Hungary could further strain relations between Warsaw and Budapest, as well as with the broader European Union. The move underscores the ideological alignment between Hungary's Orbán and Poland's former PiS government, both of which have faced criticism for undermining judicial independence. As Poland's current government seeks to address past abuses, the legal proceedings against Ziobro could become a focal point for broader debates on rule of law and political accountability within the EU. If Ziobro is eventually extradited or returns to Poland, the case could set a precedent for how EU member states handle allegations of political persecution and judicial overreach.
Hungary has granted political asylum to Zbigniew Ziobro, Poland's former Justice Minister, who is embroiled in a high-profile legal battle over alleged embezzlement and abuse of power. Ziobro, a prominent figure in Poland's former Law and Justice (PiS) government, faces 26 charges, including accusations of misappropriating funds meant for crime victims to purchase the controversial Pegasus spyware. This software was allegedly used to target political opponents, a claim that has intensified political tensions in Poland.
Allegations and Political Context
Ziobro's tenure as Justice Minister from 2015 to 2023 was marked by controversial judiciary reforms that critics argue undermined judicial independence and strained relations with the European Union. These reforms led to a freeze on EU funds for Poland and sparked legal battles with the European Court of Justice. Since the PiS government was ousted in 2023, Poland has been governed by a pro-European coalition led by Donald Tusk, who campaigned on addressing corruption and abuse of power during PiS's rule.
Asylum in Hungary
The decision by Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to grant asylum to Ziobro is not unprecedented. It follows a similar case involving Marcin Romanowski, Ziobro's former deputy, who sought refuge in Hungary amid related allegations. Hungary's Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, confirmed that several individuals facing "political persecution" in Poland have been granted asylum, though he declined to name them.
Ziobro's Defense
Ziobro has consistently denied the charges, framing them as a personal vendetta orchestrated by Tusk. On social media, he expressed his determination to "fight against political banditry and lawlessness," asserting that he would remain abroad until Poland restores genuine rule of law guarantees. His lawyer, Bartosz Lewandowski, argued that Ziobro would not receive a fair trial in Poland, a claim dismissed by Polish government spokesperson Adam Szłapka, who criticized Ziobro's asylum claim as cowardice.
What this might mean
The asylum granted to Ziobro by Hungary could further strain relations between Warsaw and Budapest, as well as with the broader European Union. The move underscores the ideological alignment between Hungary's Orbán and Poland's former PiS government, both of which have faced criticism for undermining judicial independence. As Poland's current government seeks to address past abuses, the legal proceedings against Ziobro could become a focal point for broader debates on rule of law and political accountability within the EU. If Ziobro is eventually extradited or returns to Poland, the case could set a precedent for how EU member states handle allegations of political persecution and judicial overreach.
