Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has suggested that Marcin Romanowski and Zbigniew Ziobro left the Schengen area via Serbia for the United States shortly before his official inauguration as prime minister.
Allegations of Departure
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar suggested that Marcin Romanowski departed from Hungarian territory even before his own swearing-in ceremony. According to the head of the Hungarian government, the politician linked to PiS allegedly exited the Schengen zone via Serbia before traveling to the United States.
The Prime Minister discussed the cases of Marcin Romanowski and Zbigniew Ziobro—who previously received international protection in Hungary under Viktor Orbán—during an interview with TVN24 while visiting Poland. Magyar stated that he had predicted during his election campaign that figures associated with the previous administration would leave Hungary upon a change in leadership.
Magyar emphasized that as long as the TISZA party remains in power, international fugitives will not be permitted to reside in the country. However, he did not present documentation to confirm the specific routes taken by Romanowski or Ziobro, noting that his statements are based on information obtained after assuming office.
The European Arrest Warrant and Justice Fund Investigation
The case of Marcin Romanowski is central to the ongoing investigation into the Justice Fund. The former deputy justice minister faces allegations regarding the improper expenditure of funds overseen by Zbigniew Ziobro’s ministry. In mid-February, a Warsaw court reissued a European Arrest Warrant for Romanowski, as prosecutors investigate multimillion-euro financial flows related to fund competitions.
Regarding Zbigniew Ziobro, the procedure for a European Arrest Warrant remains pending. The former justice minister maintains that the actions taken by the prosecutor’s office are politically motivated. The investigation into the Justice Fund has been ongoing for months, scrutinizing the transfer of public funds to entities politically connected to the Sovereign Poland camp.
Diplomatic Context of the Visit
Peter Magyar’s visit to Poland holds symbolic weight, as he chose the country for his first official trip abroad following his May 9 inauguration as Prime Minister. The TISZA leader’s itinerary included stops in Krakow, Warsaw, and Gdansk.
Hungarian media have noted that the new head of government is working to build regional relations while distancing himself from the policies of his predecessor, Viktor Orbán. This includes a clear shift in the approach toward cooperation with political figures previously connected to the Polish Ministry of Justice.