Former Polish Justice Minister Granted Asylum
Zbigniew Ziobro, Poland's former Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General, has been granted political asylum in Hungary, his lawyer confirmed on January 12, 2026. This development comes after the Polish Sejm voted to lift his parliamentary immunity in November 2025, paving the way for prosecutors to pursue 26 criminal charges against him. Ziobro himself announced on X that he had accepted the asylum offered by Budapest, citing 'political repression' in Poland.
Allegations and Immunity Stripped
Prosecutors in Poland accuse Zbigniew Ziobro of serious offenses, including the alleged misuse of the Justice Fund, a public scheme originally intended to support crime victims. The charges also encompass leading an organized criminal group and authorizing the purchase of Pegasus spyware. If convicted, Ziobro could face a sentence of up to 25 years in prison. The request to lift his immunity was submitted to parliament on October 28, 2025, and the Sejm subsequently approved both the lifting of his immunity and a request for his pre-trial detention on November 7, 2025.
Escape to Hungary and Political Fallout
Ziobro reportedly arrived in Hungary in late October 2025 to attend a conference and did not return to Poland. His decision to seek asylum in Hungary has intensified tensions between Poland's new government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and its conservative predecessors, as well as between Warsaw and Budapest. Ziobro and his allies maintain that the investigation is politically motivated retaliation by the current Polish government. The Hungarian government, a long-standing ally of Poland's previous ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, justified its decision by citing 'political persecution' and a 'crisis of the rule of law in Poland'. This situation mirrors a previous instance where another former Polish deputy justice minister, Marcin Romanowski, also received asylum in Hungary after fleeing arrest. In December 2025, Hungary passed new legislation preventing the surrender, under a European Arrest Warrant, of individuals granted political asylum.
Broader Implications
The granting of asylum to Zbigniew Ziobro by Hungary has drawn significant attention across the European Union. Critics argue that such actions could undermine the effectiveness of European judicial cooperation, particularly regarding the European Arrest Warrant. The Polish government has rejected claims of political motivation, asserting that the investigation is independent and conducted in accordance with the law.
4 Comments
Habibi
The optics of a former justice minister fleeing charges are terrible, regardless of political leanings. However, the speed and scale of charges from the new government do raise questions about potential political motivations in the Polish system.
ZmeeLove
While Ziobro claims political persecution, the serious nature of the charges, like misuse of public funds, warrants a thorough investigation. Asylum shouldn't be a shield for alleged corruption.
Coccinella
Tusk's government is just persecuting political opponents. Ziobro is right to seek protection.
Comandante
This situation highlights the deep political polarization within the EU and the challenges to judicial independence. While Ziobro deserves a fair trial, Hungary's actions are clearly designed to protect a political ally and defy EU norms, not just protect an individual.