Former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who faces a 26-count corruption probe in Poland including conspiracy and embezzlement totaling about 35 million euros with potential penalties up to 25 years, has fled Poland, sought asylum in Hungary, and is now reported to be in the United States.

Hungary’s new government under Prime Minister Peter Magyar signals an end to protecting Ziobro and fellow figure Marcin Romanowski, suggesting a shift in asylum policy toward them.

Poland revoked Ziobro’s passport after his flight to Hungary, highlighting ongoing diplomatic tensions among Poland, Hungary, and the United States.

Ziobro remains a central figure in the controversial Law and Justice party’s judicial reforms from 2015 to 2023, a program that strained relations with the European Commission over rule-of-law concerns.

Poland has issued a 26-count arrest warrant for Ziobro, accusing him of abusing power and forming or belonging to a criminal association, with the embezzlement estimate around 35 million euros and potential imprisonment up to 25 years.

Ziobro told U.S. authorities that he expects a fair trial in an independent U.S. court if extradition proceeds.

Ziobro has stated he does not fear the legal process and would welcome an extradition proceeding, asserting confidence in an independent American court if extradition is pursued.

Polish media outlets, including Republika and TVN24, report Ziobro is in the United States, with TVN24 showing a photo at Newark Liberty International Airport near New York.

Polish authorities have not confirmed Ziobro’s departure from the Schengen area, with the attorney general’s office and foreign ministry stating there is no verified data on his whereabouts.

Ziobro frames the accusations as politically motivated and says he faces political persecution while remaining open to extradition under a fair U.S. process.

Ziobro and Romanowski are tied to the right-conservative PiS party that governed Poland from 2015 to 2023.