Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, one of the most influential yet controversial figures in Poland’s recent political history, is reportedly staying in Hungary, allegedly fearing possible arrest in connection with criminal charges brought against him in Poland. The case, which intertwines questions of justice, health, and politics, has quickly become one of the most discussed developments in Central Europe this autumn.
Ziobro, who served as Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General from 2015 to 2023, was a key architect of the judicial reforms introduced under the Law and Justice (PiS) government. These reforms were heavily criticized by the European Union as undermining judicial independence, but praised by supporters as an attempt to “restore accountability” in the courts. Now, the former minister finds himself at the center of a criminal investigation led by Polish prosecutors, who accuse him of leading a criminal group, abusing public funds, and mismanaging the Justice Fund, a state program designed to aid crime victims and prevent crime.
According to media reports, prosecutors are seeking to lift Ziobro’s parliamentary immunity, which would open the way for formal charges and potential detention. The allegations include financial irregularities amounting to roughly 150 million złoty and the misuse of funds for political or surveillance purposes. Parliamentary commissions are currently debating the motion to revoke his immunity.
In late October 2025, Ziobro reportedly left Poland and traveled to Budapest, where he is believed to be staying under the protection or at least the goodwill of Hungarian authorities. Several outlets, including Euronews and Reuters, have confirmed that he was seen in Hungary and that his entourage has expressed concerns about the fairness of proceedings in Poland. Some of his allies argue that he left the country to receive specialized medical treatment and not to evade justice, while others admit that he fears being “unlawfully detained” upon his return.
Ziobro’s health condition has been a significant part of the public debate. The former minister has been undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer since late 2023, a serious and potentially life-threatening illness. His supporters argue that any attempt to detain him in this state would amount to “a de facto death sentence,” as one senior politician from his camp told The European Conservative. Polish prosecutors, however, maintain that medical assessments confirm he is able to participate in legal proceedings, though no detailed documentation has been made public.
The Hungarian connection has added a geopolitical layer to the story. Reports suggest that Ziobro may have met with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a longtime political ally who shares his eurosceptic and conservative worldview. For Budapest, providing temporary refuge to a former Polish minister under investigation by Warsaw’s new centrist government could be seen as both a gesture of political solidarity and a challenge to intra-EU judicial cooperation. Should Polish authorities issue a European Arrest Warrant, Hungarian courts would have to decide whether to extradite Ziobro, potentially invoking concerns about judicial independence or health-related humanitarian grounds.
Legal experts point out that the case is testing the boundaries of EU law, especially regarding mutual trust among member states’ justice systems. While extradition between EU countries is standard under the European Arrest Warrant framework, there have been precedents where courts have refused to hand over suspects due to perceived political motivations behind prosecutions.
For now, Ziobro remains abroad, while his lawyers and political allies insist he is the victim of a politically driven campaign. Meanwhile, government officials in Warsaw argue that the investigation is a necessary step toward accountability and transparency, particularly in light of serious allegations of corruption involving state funds.
The situation presents a complex mixture of law, politics, and human drama. On one hand, a former minister faces grave accusations linked to public finances; on the other, questions of health, due process, and potential political bias dominate the narrative. The case also underscores the fragility of political transitions in post-2015 Poland, where deep divisions over judicial reform and the rule of law continue to shape public life.
Whether Ziobro decides to return to Poland to face trial, remains in Hungary seeking protection, or becomes a symbol of political persecution for his supporters will likely define the next chapter of this unfolding story. What is certain for now is that the fate of Zbigniew Ziobro — once a powerful enforcer of Polish justice — has become a test of how justice itself is practiced in Poland and within the European Union.
