Poland’s ex justice minister claims asylum in Hungary amid Pegasus probe

Warsaw: Poland’s former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro announced on Monday that he has been granted “asylum” by Hungary, days after Polish authorities intensified legal action against him over alleged corruption and abuse of power.

Ziobro, who served as justice minister from 2015 to 2023 under the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government, faces 26 criminal charges in Poland. Prosecutors allege he used money from a fund meant to support crime victims to illegally purchase Pegasus spyware, which was allegedly deployed to monitor political opponents. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.

In a post on X, Ziobro claimed he sought protection in Hungary due to what he described as “political repression” under Poland’s current centrist government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He has consistently denied all allegations, accusing the government of conducting a political witch hunt against the conservative opposition.

The announcement triggered sharp reactions in Warsaw. Prime Minister Tusk described Ziobro as the “mastermind of the political corruption system”, while Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk said the former minister “will not go unpunished”, stressing that no politician is above the law. Poland’s parliament lifted Ziobro’s immunity in November and approved his detention, and an arrest warrant has since been issued.

Ziobro is a key figure behind Poland’s controversial judicial reforms, which previously brought the country into conflict with the European Union over rule-of-law concerns. His case has further strained relations between Warsaw and Budapest, long-time allies under PiS and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed that Budapest has granted asylum or refugee status to individuals facing what it views as political persecution in Poland, though he did not name Ziobro directly. Szijjarto argued that democracy and the rule of law are “under threat” in Poland, a claim rejected by the current Polish government.

The move echoes an earlier case involving Marcin Romanowski, a former Ziobro aide, who also obtained political asylum in Hungary despite a European arrest warrant issued by Poland. His continued presence in Hungary has already caused diplomatic tension between the two EU member states.

Under EU norms, there is no standard mechanism for citizens of one EU country to seek asylum in another, as all member states are expected to uphold fundamental rights. While Ziobro’s lawyer said he would receive a travel document under the 1951 Refugee Convention, such a document does not shield its holder from international arrest warrants.

The case is expected to deepen political and legal friction between Poland and Hungary, while raising fresh questions within the EU about asylum, judicial independence and the limits of mutual trust between member states.
(With AFP inputs)