Former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro has reportedly fled from Hungary to the United States while facing multiple criminal charges in Poland, according to local media reports.
Ziobro, who was granted asylum by the government of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán last year, is wanted in Poland on allegations including abuse of power, leading an organised criminal group and misusing public funds intended for crime victims.
Polish prosecutors also accuse him of authorising the purchase of Israeli Pegasus spyware, allegedly used to monitor political opponents during his time in office. If convicted, Ziobro could face up to 25 years in prison.
The reports emerged shortly after Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, announced a tougher stance on protecting foreign fugitives following his inauguration on Saturday, May 9. “Hungary will no longer be a dumping ground for internationally wanted criminals,” Magyar said during a press conference after his election victory.
He specifically referenced Ziobro and former deputy justice minister Marcin Romanowski, who is also wanted in Poland over allegations involving the embezzlement of nearly €40 million. Right wing Polish broadcaster Republika reported on Sunday, May 10, that Ziobro had travelled to the United States, while broadcaster TVN24 published a photograph allegedly showing him at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The development has raised questions because Polish authorities previously stated that Ziobro’s travel documents, including his diplomatic passport, had been revoked. Poland’s national prosecutor’s office said it had no confirmed data showing the suspect had officially left the Schengen Area and that investigations into the reports were continuing.
Poland’s Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said authorities would seek Ziobro’s extradition if his presence in the United States was confirmed. “If it is confirmed that Ziobro is in the USA, then Poland will request his extradition,” Żurek said in an interview with Polsat News.
He later added on social media that Polish authorities would contact both the United States and Hungary to determine how Ziobro was able to enter the country despite allegedly lacking valid travel documents. “We will not cease our efforts to ensure that he and Mr Marcin Romanowski are held accountable before the Polish justice system,” Żurek said.
Ziobro, a former leader of the ultra conservative Sovereign Poland party and former coalition partner of the nationalist Law and Justice party, served as Poland’s justice minister and attorney general between 2015 and 2023.
He is widely associated with controversial judicial reforms that triggered prolonged disputes between Poland and the European Commission. The former minister has denied all allegations against him and accused Poland’s current centrist government of politically targeting conservatives.
