Ziobro Flees to U.S. After Hungary Ends Protection

Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said on Sunday that he has moved from Hungary to the United States, asourceser Hungary’s newly sworn-in prime minister, Péter Magyar, said Budapest would stop sheltering people wanted by other countries. Ziobro, who faces criminal allegations in Poland including abuse of power and leading an organized criminal enterprise, said he arrived in the U.

S.

on Saturday. Reports indicate that Ziobro had previously been granted asylum in Hungary under the government of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Magyar, sworn in on Saturday, said Hungary would no longer protect individuals sought elsewhere, and he cited Ziobro as an example. He also named Ziobro’s former deputy, Marcin Romanowski, who is suspected of embezzling nearly 40 million euros, according to the report.

Ziobro denies the allegations and says he is being targeted in a politically motivated “witch-hunt.” Reports indicate that Ziobro could face up to 25 years in prison in Poland if convicted.

How Ziobro was able to travel to

How Ziobro was able to travel to the United States is unclear. Polish authorities had previously said his travel documents, including his Polish and diplomatic passports, were revoked.

Local media cited by Reports indicate that Ziobro may have obtained a U. S.

journalist visa linked to the Polish broadcaster Republika. The broadcaster later said it had hired him as a political commentator in the United States.

Poland’s current justice minister, Waldemar Zurek, said Poland would contact U. S.

and Hungarian authorities to ask what legal basis allowed Ziobro to enter the United States. Zurek also said Poland would seek Ziobro’s extradition so he can face the allegations in Poland.

Officials in Warsaw have not detailed a timeline for any extradition request, and the next steps are likely to depend on U.S. immigration and legal proceedings as well as Poland’s formal submissions.