Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro and his former deputy Marcin Romanowski have reportedly relocated to the United States after previously seeking political asylum in Hungary.
Reports of Relocation to the United States
On Sunday morning, May 10, TV Republika reported that Zbigniew Ziobro is currently in the United States, with the station announcing a scheduled interview with the former Justice Minister for Sunday evening.
While initial reports from Wyborcza.pl suggested that Marcin Romanowski was in hiding due to a European Arrest Warrant and a previous US visa denial, wPolsce24 and wPolityce.pl later reported on Sunday afternoon that Romanowski has also arrived in the United States.
Departure from Budapest
Both politicians had been residing in Budapest after receiving political asylum from the government of Viktor Orbán. A representative of the company that rented an apartment to Romanowski in Budapest stated that the lease expired on April 30.
The employee noted that Romanowski was last seen in the building on April 21 and that the premises were completely empty by May 1. Documents obtained by Hungarian media indicate Romanowski had lived there since December 2024.
Legal Charges and Arrest Warrants
The Polish National Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against both Ziobro and Romanowski concerning irregularities in the Justice Fund. A Warsaw court re-issued a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) for Romanowski in February 2026, while Ziobro’s EAW application remains in court.
Romanowski’s legal history includes a first EAW issued in December 2024, which was later revoked in December 2025 before being re-issued by the District Court in Warsaw in February 2026.
Hungarian Stance on Extradition
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated before his election victory that he would not host individuals fleeing justice, remarking that Ziobro and Romanowski would not stay in Hungary for long.
Magyar further clarified his position after winning the elections, asserting that Hungary would not serve as a sanctuary for international criminals.
