Tusk calls Ziobro’s Hungarian asylum “an admission of guilt”, comparing it to an ex-judge’s flight to Belarus.
Tusk’s Guilt Accusation
Donald Tusk stated Zbigniew Ziobro’s decision to flee with his wife and seek political asylum in Hungary is, morally and not formally, “an admission of guilt”. He accused the minister of fearing the Polish “like the devil fears holy water”.
The Prime Minister emphasized Poland is deemed safe by all EU standards, including the Union’s clear opinion, making asylum requests unjustified.
EU Standards on Safety
Tusk highlighted Poland is recognized, like all EU countries, as a safe nation where no one has reason to flee for political asylum. He noted only one EU country faces proceedings for breaching rule of law: Hungary.
Comparison to Szmydt Case
Tusk compared Ziobro’s flight to that of Tomasz Szmydt, a former Warsaw judge who fled to Belarus in 2024. He called both cases the same mechanism of “abusing power and acting against Polish interests”.
He characterized the asylum as an escape from the Polish court “under the wings of a government that breaks rule of law standards”.
No Hungarian Talks
During his press conference, Tusk confirmed he had not discussed Ziobro’s asylum with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He stated they are still awaiting the Hungarian government’s position.
Tusk noted he is in constant contact with Hungarian opposition leaders, who confirmed a potential change in government after elections would lead to a change in Ziobro’s status in Hungary.
Ziobro’s Defense
On January 14, Zbigniew Ziobro revealed he formally obtained asylum in Hungary on December 22. The PiS MP declared himself “a victim of a hunt by the Tusk government”.
He vowed to return to Poland once the “legal state” is restored. The Sejm approved his detention and arrest in November; the prosecutor’s request concerns 26 alleged crimes related to Justice Fund funds, including leading a criminal group. Ziobro denies the “fabricated” charges.
The court is scheduled to rule on Ziobro’s potential arrest on January 15.
