Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro has fled to the United States following a political shift in Hungary, while the whereabouts of his deputy, Marcin Romanowski, remain unknown.
Ziobro’s Departure for the United States
TV Republika reported on Sunday, May 9, that former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro is in the USA, having likely left Hungary on Saturday. Ziobro had previously fled to Hungary after Polish prosecutors filed charges regarding irregularities in the Justice Fund, where he was granted political asylum by Viktor Orban’s government.
According to Wyborcza.pl, Ziobro and his wife, Patrycja Kotécka, obtained US visas through the personal decision of President Donald Trump, despite opposition from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose.
The Uncertain Status of Marcin Romanowski
The location of Ziobro’s former deputy, Marcin Romanowski, remains unclear. His legal situation is more complex; he was previously denied a US visa under Orban and is subject to an active European Arrest Warrant, unlike Ziobro.
Jacek Karnowski, editor-in-chief of Polska24, suggests that Romanowski is in hiding and is likely no longer in Hungary, noting a lack of contact and media presence.
Empty Residence in Budapest
A representative of Pd Residence confirmed that the apartment on Szilagyi Dezso Street, located opposite the Hungarian Parliament, is now vacant. An employee stated that Romanowski was last seen in the building on April 21, and his lease expired on April 30.
Documents obtained by Hungarian media indicate that Romanowski had resided in the premises since December 2024.
Hungarian Government Promises Extradition
Following the election victory of the TISZA party, leader Peter Magyar announced that Hungary will not provide asylum to international criminals or those fleeing justice. Magyar explicitly stated that Ziobro and Romanowski would not remain in the country for long.
Under the Orban administration, both officials had received international protection. However, a Warsaw court re-issued a European Arrest Warrant for Romanowski in February 2026, while the request for Ziobro’s warrant remains in court.
