Hungary Grants Asylum to Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro Amid Corruption and Spyware Allegations
Hungary granted political asylum to ex-Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, facing 26 charges including embezzlement and alleged purchase of Pegasus spyware used against domestic opponents.
Overview
Who: Zbigniew Ziobro, Poland's former justice minister (2015-2023), has been granted political asylum by Hungary while facing 26 charges including embezzlement and misuse of public funds.
What: Prosecutors allege Ziobro authorised a 25m zloty purchase of Pegasus spyware and diverted Justice Fund grants to political allies, prompting investigations and immunity-lifting requests.
Where and when: The asylum was granted by Hungary in recent days as Poland's pro-EU government, led by Donald Tusk, pursues cases tied to PiS-era judicial reforms.
How: Hungary's nationalist government under Viktor Orbán has previously sheltered PiS-aligned figures; Budapest said it granted asylum to several people claiming political persecution by Polish authorities.
Why and implications: The move heightens EU tensions over rule-of-law standards, risks straining Poland-Hungary relations, and complicates prosecutions that could carry decades-long sentences if convictions occur.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this story neutrally, combining factual context about Law and Justice’s judicial changes (e.g., 'stacking higher courts') with allegations against Ziobro and his denials. They quote officials on both sides—Ziobro’s asylum claim, Tusk’s criticism and Hungary’s confirmation—letting readers see competing claims without overt editorial judgment.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Ziobro faces 26 charges including embezzlement, misuse of public funds from the Justice Fund (PLN 150 million or $41.2 million), abuse of power, establishing and leading a criminal group, and authorizing the purchase of Pegasus spyware to target opponents.
Hungary granted asylum to Ziobro, claiming political persecution by Polish authorities under the pro-EU government, as part of sheltering other PiS-aligned figures amid tensions over rule-of-law issues.
Pegasus is spyware by NSO Group that covertly monitors mobile phones; Polish prosecutors allege Ziobro authorized its 25 million zloty purchase and use against about 600 people, including opposition members and critics, from 2017-2022.
The asylum heightens EU tensions over rule-of-law standards, risks straining Poland-Hungary relations, and complicates Polish prosecutions that could lead to up to 25 years in prison for Ziobro.
Ziobro, justice minister from 2015-2023 under PiS, was the architect of judicial reforms that involved controlling courts through appointments and disciplinary measures, sparking EU rule-of-law disputes.
History
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