Hungary grants asylum to Polish ex-justice minister

Hungary has granted political asylum to Poland's former Justice Minister, Zbigniew Ziobro, who faces 26 charges of embezzlement related to misusing funds intended for crime victims, including allegedly purchasing spyware used to hack political opponents. Ziobro, who served as Justice Minister from 2015 to 2023 under the previous Law and Justice (PiS)-led government, claims he is a victim of political persecution by the current government. This decision by Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, aligns with a previous instance of granting asylum to another former Polish official accused of corruption. Ziobro faces up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of the charges, which include misusing funds from the state-controlled Foundation for Justice. He accuses Prime Minister Donald Tusk of political vendetta.

Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, under investigation for alleged abuse of power during the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government, has been granted political asylum in Hungary. Ziobro, a central figure in controversial judiciary reforms, faces 26 charges related to misuse of funds and potential use of the Pegasus spyware against political rivals. He claims the investigation is a political vendetta by the current pro-European government led by Donald Tusk, who promised to address alleged corruption during PiS's rule. Ziobro stated he will remain abroad until the rule of law is restored in Poland, thanking Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Another former Polish deputy justice minister also claimed asylum in Hungary in late 2024. Polish authorities have invalidated Ziobro's passports and are seeking his temporary arrest.