Poland's Wanted Ex-Minister Ziobro Confirms US Asylum After Fleeing Hungary
Zbigniew Ziobro, former Polish justice minister wanted on multiple charges, has fled Hungary and confirmed his arrival in the United States.
WARSAW: Poland’s former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is wanted on several criminal charges in his home country, has fled Hungary to the United States.
In an interview with right-wing broadcaster Republika, Ziobro confirmed his presence in the U.S., stating that he had arrived the previous day and was exploring the country for a third time.
Ziobro, who previously received asylum from Viktor Orban's government in Hungary, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the charges against him, including abuse of power, leading an organized criminal enterprise, and misusing funds intended for crime victims to purchase Israeli Pegasus spyware allegedly for monitoring political opponents.
Following the election ousting of Orban's party, Hungary’s new Prime Minister Peter Magyar has announced that Hungary will no longer shield individuals wanted internationally.
This change in policy was specifically mentioned in relation to Ziobro and his former deputy, Marcin Romanowski, who is suspected of embezzling nearly 40 million euros worth of funds.
The transition of Ziobro from Hungary to the U.S., despite Poland's revocation of his travel documents including Polish and diplomatic passports, remains unclear.
Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek has indicated that Poland will contact both the U.S. and Hungary regarding the legal basis for Ziobro’s entry into the United States.
Zurek reaffirmed that efforts to ensure Ziobro and Romanowski's accountability before the Polish justice system will continue.
Ziobro, a prominent figure from the ultra-conservative Sovereign Poland party and former coalition partner of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, served as justice minister and attorney general between 2015 and 2023.
He is also known for spearheading contentious judicial reforms that led to tensions between Poland and the European Commission.
In response to potential extradition proceedings, Ziobro expressed his willingness to stand trial in any court, deeming U.S. courts independent and suitable for such procedures.
He has consistently denied the charges against him, accusing the Polish government of launching a campaign against conservatives.
In an interview with right-wing broadcaster Republika, Ziobro confirmed his presence in the U.S., stating that he had arrived the previous day and was exploring the country for a third time.
Ziobro, who previously received asylum from Viktor Orban's government in Hungary, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the charges against him, including abuse of power, leading an organized criminal enterprise, and misusing funds intended for crime victims to purchase Israeli Pegasus spyware allegedly for monitoring political opponents.
Following the election ousting of Orban's party, Hungary’s new Prime Minister Peter Magyar has announced that Hungary will no longer shield individuals wanted internationally.
This change in policy was specifically mentioned in relation to Ziobro and his former deputy, Marcin Romanowski, who is suspected of embezzling nearly 40 million euros worth of funds.
The transition of Ziobro from Hungary to the U.S., despite Poland's revocation of his travel documents including Polish and diplomatic passports, remains unclear.
Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek has indicated that Poland will contact both the U.S. and Hungary regarding the legal basis for Ziobro’s entry into the United States.
Zurek reaffirmed that efforts to ensure Ziobro and Romanowski's accountability before the Polish justice system will continue.
Ziobro, a prominent figure from the ultra-conservative Sovereign Poland party and former coalition partner of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, served as justice minister and attorney general between 2015 and 2023.
He is also known for spearheading contentious judicial reforms that led to tensions between Poland and the European Commission.
In response to potential extradition proceedings, Ziobro expressed his willingness to stand trial in any court, deeming U.S. courts independent and suitable for such procedures.
He has consistently denied the charges against him, accusing the Polish government of launching a campaign against conservatives.
