Marcin Romanowski, a former Polish deputy justice minister, who faces a probe in Poland over accusations of misuse of public funds, has been granted political asylum in Hungary, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas. Poland called the move a “hostile act.”
Speaking to the website “Mandiner.hu” on Thursday, Gulyas confirmed that the asylum was granted in compliance with both Hungarian and EU laws.
Gulyas criticised the actions of Poland’s government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk, accusing it of undermining the rule of law. “The actions of (Prime Minister Donald) Tusk’s government have created a situation where the Polish government disregards its constitutional court’s rulings and uses criminal law as a tool against political opponents,” Gulyas said.
Romanowski, who was detained in a probe into the misuse of public funds, was released in mid July after the president of a European rights assembly said he had immunity as a member of the body.
Gulyas said Romanowski’s arrest in Poland, declared unlawful by Polish courts, raised serious concerns about fair treatment and the absence of political bias in Polish legal proceedings.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, writing on X, said: “We consider the decision…to grant political asylum to M.Romanowski, suspected of criminal offences and wanted on a European arrest warrant, as an act hostile to the Republic of Poland and the principles of the European Union.”
Romanowski’s asylum request highlights growing political tensions in Poland, where allegations of judicial interference and the misuse of legal mechanisms have been at the forefront of political debates. The decision by Hungary to grant him asylum may further strain relations between the two countries, both of which are key players in Central European politics.
Melissa Enoch
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