The European Commission has given Hungary 60 days to comply with a European arrest warrant for Marcin Romanowski, a Polish MP and former deputy justice minister. Romanowski, accused of embezzling €25 million from Poland’s Justice Fund, was granted asylum in Hungary after a Warsaw court sought his detention.
EU law typically requires member states to honor mutual legal assistance, but European Commission spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker stressed on December 20 that asylum within the EU should only be granted in exceptional cases. He hinted that Hungary could face sanctions or legal action if it refuses to hand over Romanowski.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, however, has defended his decision. “Romanowski won’t be the last Polish opposition official seeking refuge in Hungary,” Orbán remarked on December 21. He accused Poland’s government, led by Donald Tusk, of repressing political opponents and pledged Hungary’s openness to those fleeing political persecution.
The charges against Romanowski are part of a broader investigation into alleged misuse of public funds during the eight-year rule of Poland’s conservative PiS government (2015–2023). Prosecutors allege that Romanowski and others misallocated funds from the Justice Fund, intended to support crime victims, to finance party campaigns indirectly—such as purchasing fire engines and funding NGOs. Leaked tapes reportedly reveal officials discussing the distribution of these funds.
Romanowski denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated and a retaliatory effort by Poland’s ruling government to tarnish former PiS officials. “This is an act of vengeance,” he asserted, suggesting the government is trying to showcase its crackdown on past corruption.
Hungary’s decision to grant asylum has exacerbated tensions between Budapest and Warsaw, already strained over differing political stances. Poland’s foreign ministry called the move a “hostile act,” and Prime Minister Tusk warned Hungary it would “regret admitting a fugitive from Polish law.”
With the EU urging compliance, Hungary’s defiance could lead to further diplomatic fallout, raising questions about unity and adherence to European legal frameworks.
The European Commission has given Hungary 60 days to comply with a European arrest warrant for Marcin Romanowski, a Polish MP and former deputy justice minister. Romanowski, accused of embezzling €25 million from Poland’s Justice Fund, was granted asylum in Hungary after a Warsaw court sought his detention.
EU law typically requires member states to honor mutual legal assistance, but European Commission spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker stressed on December 20 that asylum within the EU should only be granted in exceptional cases. He hinted that Hungary could face sanctions or legal action if it refuses to hand over Romanowski.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, however, has defended his decision. “Romanowski won’t be the last Polish opposition official seeking refuge in Hungary,” Orbán remarked on December 21. He accused Poland’s government, led by Donald Tusk, of repressing political opponents and pledged Hungary’s openness to those fleeing political persecution.
The charges against Romanowski are part of a broader investigation into alleged misuse of public funds during the eight-year rule of Poland’s conservative PiS government (2015–2023). Prosecutors allege that Romanowski and others misallocated funds from the Justice Fund, intended to support crime victims, to finance party campaigns indirectly—such as purchasing fire engines and funding NGOs. Leaked tapes reportedly reveal officials discussing the distribution of these funds.
Romanowski denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated and a retaliatory effort by Poland’s ruling government to tarnish former PiS officials. “This is an act of vengeance,” he asserted, suggesting the government is trying to showcase its crackdown on past corruption.
Hungary’s decision to grant asylum has exacerbated tensions between Budapest and Warsaw, already strained over differing political stances. Poland’s foreign ministry called the move a “hostile act,” and Prime Minister Tusk warned Hungary it would “regret admitting a fugitive from Polish law.”
With the EU urging compliance, Hungary’s defiance could lead to further diplomatic fallout, raising questions about unity and adherence to European legal frameworks.
