Hungary's Asylum Decision Sparks Diplomatic Tensions with Poland

Poland's foreign minister condemns Hungary's actions, citing hostility and potential violations of EU principles amid accusations against asylum seeker Marcin Romanowski.

Hungary has ignited a diplomatic firestorm with Poland by granting political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, a former deputy justice minister facing serious charges, including defrauding a justice fund of $40 million. The 48-year-old Romanowski, who served under the Law and Justice party from 2019 to 2023, failed to appear in court before it was revealed he had sought refuge in Hungary.

Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, expressed outrage on social media, labeling Hungary’s decision as a "hostile act" towards Poland and contrary to European Union principles. He mentioned that further actions will be announced, indicating a formal diplomatic protest through the summoning of Hungary's ambassador and potentially involving the European Commission.

While Romanowski faces 11 charges in Poland, including orchestrating a fraudulent diversion of funds intended for crime victims, he has fled, claiming he would not receive fair treatment under the current Polish government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He accused prosecutors and judges of politicization, a claim met with skepticism, given the previous regime's own controversial judicial reforms that drew criticism from EU bodies.

The justice fund that Romanowski managed was subjected to an audit revealing that only a fraction of its resources actually aided crime victims. Critics within Poland highlighted that the Law and Justice government had previously enacted reforms perceived as politicizing the judiciary.

After his absence from public life for nearly two weeks, a European Arrest Warrant was issued for Romanowski, with suspicions that he was hiding in Hungary. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban defended the asylum decision, stating support for those he characterized as victims of political persecution in Poland, despite the ideological rift between the two nations on various issues, including their response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Romanowski’s connections to conservative Catholic groups, along with his controversial statements on LGBTQ+ issues and proposals for harsh penalties against minors, add to the polarizing nature of this unfolding diplomatic crisis.