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Poland’s former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, wanted on multiple criminal charges, has fled from Hungary to the United States (US).
The local media reported this on Sunday. Ziobro, who received asylum from Hungary’s right‑wing government last year, now faces up to 25 years in prison in Poland. The charges against him include abuse of power, leading an organised criminal enterprise, and using funds meant for crime victims to buy Israeli spyware to monitor political opponents.
Last month, Viktor Orban’s party lost power in Hungary. The new Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, was sworn in on Saturday and said Hungary would no longer protect people sought by other countries. “Hungary will no longer be a dumping ground for internationally wanted criminals,” he declared after his victory, naming Ziobro and his former deputy, Marcin Romanowski, who is suspected of embezzling nearly €40 million ($47 million).
Polish broadcaster Republika reported that Ziobro was in the US, and TVN24 published a photo of him at Newark airport taken by another traveller. Poland’s foreign ministry spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.
It is unclear how Ziobro travelled to the US, since Poland says his travel documents, including his diplomatic passport, had been revoked. Poland’s national prosecutor’s office wrote on X that they “do not have data confirming the departure of the suspect… from the Schengen Area” and that “all information… is being verified.”
Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek told Polsat News, “If it is confirmed that Ziobro is in the USA, then Poland will request his extradition.” Later, he wrote on X that Poland “will reach out to the USA and Hungary with questions regarding the legal basis that enabled Zbigniew Ziobro to… enter the United States despite lacking valid documents.” He added, “We will not cease our efforts to ensure that he and Marcin Romanowski are held accountable before the Polish justice system.”
Ziobro, leader of the ultra‑conservative Sovereign Poland party, served as justice minister from 2015 to 2023. He is known for judicial reforms that sparked a standoff with the European Commission. He has rejected all charges, accusing the centrist Polish government of a “witch hunt” against conservatives.
