Hungary revokes refugee status of former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro

Hungary's new government stripped refugee status and invalidated travel documents for former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, his deputy Marcin Romanowski and Ziobro's wife Patrycja Kotecka‑Ziobro. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski confirmed receiving written notice and said, “The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind.”

The revocation follows accusations that Ziobro and Romanowski misused a fund meant for crime victims while serving in the previous Law and Justice government. Ziobro, currently in the United States, has denied the charges and claims political persecution. His lawyer notes that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau facilitated a visa for him, though the State Department declined comment. Romanowski's whereabouts remain unknown. Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said Poland will contact U.S. authorities to determine whether individuals without valid travel documents can remain in the United States.