Hungary revokes refugee status of former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro

Hungary’s government cancelled the refugee status and travel documents of former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, his spouse Patrycja Kotecka‑Ziobro, and former deputy minister Marcin Romanowski, as announced by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. The decision follows a Warsaw court order that approved Ziobro’s detention in a probe over alleged misuse of public funds intended for crime victims, accusations that label the case as organized crime.

Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek said Poland will contact U.S. authorities regarding Ziobro and his wife’s legal situation. An EU arrest warrant for Romanowski, issued in February, has yet to result in his whereabouts being disclosed. Ziobro fled to the United States via Milan after the pro‑EU Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar took office on 9 May. Hungary’s revocation of their refugee travel papers nullifies the status that had allowed them to remain in the country.

The incident underscores heightened diplomatic friction between Hungary and Poland over the handling of former officials accused of financial misconduct.