Fugitive Polish justice minister flees to U.S. after his Hungarian asylum collapses

Poland’s former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, once one of the most powerful figures in the national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) governments, has arrived in the United States after his political asylum in Hungary evaporated following the dramatic change of power in Budapest.

Wanted on serious criminal charges at home, Ziobro confirmed his presence in America on Sunday evening, just days after Hungary’s new leadership signaled it would no longer shelter him. The case highlights the complex interplay of European alliances, transatlantic politics, and lingering disputes over the rule of law in Central Europe.

Ziobro served as justice minister and prosecutor general from 2015 to 2023 under PiS governments. He was a driving force behind sweeping judicial reforms that drew sharp criticism from the European Union and domestic opponents, who accused the changes of undermining judicial independence. Supporters viewed them as necessary corrections to a post-communist system still influenced by old networks. Ziobro also led the smaller Sovereign Poland party, a junior coalition partner known for its staunchly conservative positions on social issues.

After PiS lost power in 2023 to a centrist coalition led by Donald Tusk, investigations intensified into alleged abuses during the previous administration. Ziobro faces accusations of abuse of power, directing an organised criminal group, and misusing funds from the Justice Fund, intended for crime victims, to finance operations including the purchase of Pegasus spyware, allegedly deployed against political opponents. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison. Ziobro has consistently rejected the charges as politically motivated persecution.

Asylum in Hungary ends abruptly

Last year, Viktor Orbán’s government granted Ziobro and his former deputy Marcin Romanowski political asylum, viewing them as allies in the broader conservative resistance against liberal EU policies. Orbán and PiS shared ideological affinities on sovereignty, migration, and traditional values. The arrangement provided a safe haven while legal proceedings unfolded in Poland.

That protection ended swiftly. In April elections, Orbán’s Fidesz party suffered a surprising defeat to Péter Magyar’s Tisza party. Magyar, sworn in as prime minister on 9 May, immediately declared that Hungary would cease being a refuge for internationally wanted figures. At a press conference, he urged Ziobro and Romanowski to return home if they had nothing to hide, stating, “Hungary will not be a haven for international criminals.” He emphasized that the new government would cooperate with Polish authorities on extradition.

The rapid shift left Ziobro little time. Reports emerged that he and possibly Romanowski had left Hungary. On Sunday, liberal broadcaster TVN24 published a photo taken by a traveler showing Ziobro at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Ziobro later confirmed his arrival during an interview on the right-wing Telewizja Republika, describing it as his third visit to the United States and praising American freedom.

Questions remain about how he entered the country. Poland had revoked his diplomatic and ordinary passports in late 2025. According to reports, Ziobro likely traveled using a Geneva Convention travel document issued under the previous Hungarian government. Polish officials, including Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek, announced they would seek extradition. Żurek stated that proceedings would begin immediately upon confirmation of Ziobro’s location. The Polish foreign ministry also inquired about the legal basis for his travel.

Trump administration visa sparks internal debate

Media accounts suggest Ziobro secured a U.S. journalist visa, reportedly linked to his new role as a political commentator for Telewizja Republika. Sources in Gazeta Wyborcza claimed the visa received high-level support within the Trump administration, including from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, despite opposition from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, and the U.S. ambassador to Warsaw, Tom Rose. Romanowski’s entry appears to have been denied, placing the two former officials in different situations due to varying legal statuses regarding European arrest warrants.

Speculation also circulated that former heavyweight boxer Tomasz Adamek, a longtime New Jersey resident and acquaintance of Ziobro, might have provided temporary housing. Adamek firmly denied the claims, calling them baseless and stating he had only limited past contact with the politician.

Ziobro appeared defiant in his interview. He expressed readiness to face an “independent American court” if extradition proceedings begin, describing the process as demanding but fair. He reiterated that the charges against him are fabricated and accused the Tusk government of interfering in judicial matters, including public statements made while he still held parliamentary immunity.

Polish authorities remain determined. Żurek emphasized that efforts to hold Ziobro and Romanowski accountable will continue. The case also raises broader questions about international cooperation, asylum practices among allies, and the extent to which political changes can upend previous protections.

For now, Ziobro reportedly intends to remain in the U.S. His arrival marks another chapter in the turbulent aftermath of Poland’s political transition and the realignment of conservative forces across the Atlantic. Whether American courts will ultimately return him to face Polish justice remains to be seen, but the episode underscores how quickly safe havens can disappear when governments change.

Sources: FocusEurope.pl, Notes from Poland.com, The Guardian, Politico

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Caption: Law and Justice Party (PiS) MP Zbigniew Ziobro speaks during the debate ‘Polish Justice – Reform of the Third Power’ on the second day of the Law and Justice party’s program convention at the International Congress Center in Katowice, Poland, 25 October 2025. The convention is held under the slogan ‘Thinking: Poland’. EPA/ART SERVICE