Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has confirmed that Poland is officially pushing for the revocation of Zbigniew Ziobro’s US visa, alleging the former minister obtained entry under false pretenses as a journalist.
Sikorski Questions Validity of Visa
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Poland has raised concerns regarding Zbigniew Ziobro’s visa status with the US Department of State and the US Ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose. Sikorski argues that the visa was secured under the guise of journalism, a claim he rejects given Ziobro’s political activities.
Sikorski emphasized that visas are sovereign matters for individual nations, noting that if an applicant violates the terms of their entry, revocation is a standard response. He questioned who provided Ziobro with the necessary journalistic recommendation letters, asserting that political tours do not constitute professional media work.
Congressional Inquiry into Visa Expediting
Reports from Reuters indicate that two Democratic members of the US House of Representatives have requested clarification from Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding whether Christopher Landau intervened to expedite Ziobro’s visa application. Sources suggest Landau cited national security concerns to facilitate the process through the US embassy in Budapest.
Sikorski remarked that Ziobro’s presence in the US could eventually become an embarrassment for the American administration. He noted that US lawmakers are now seeking to understand how the visa was granted if it was based on misleading information.
Hungarian Documents and Legal Implications
Ziobro claims to be traveling on documents issued by Hungary, where he sought asylum. Sikorski stated that Poland has formally requested that Hungary invalidate these travel documents, noting that if the primary identification is void, the associated visa should logically follow suit.
Zbigniew Ziobro is currently a suspect in a criminal investigation regarding the Justice Fund. The National Prosecutor’s Office alleges he directed an organized crime group and committed 26 offenses, including the abuse of power and illegal allocation of public subsidies.