Tensions rise after Hungary gives asylum to Polish politician suspected of corruption

WARSAW (AP) — Hungary gave political asylum to a Polish politician wanted for corruption, triggering a diplomatic altercation that escalated on Friday.

Poland’s government called Hungary’s decision a “hostile act,” and Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was dismayed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s decision to shelter a man wanted on suspicion of defrauding the state of millions. of zlotys.

Poland’s Foreign Ministry said Friday morning that it has recalled its ambassador to Hungary home for “indefinite consultations.” He also summoned the Hungarian ambassador in Warsaw to deliver a note of protest.

The matter focuses on the case of a former deputy justice minister, Marcin Romanowski, but also reveals a clash over the rule of law and democracy.

Tusk took office last year promising to restore democratic norms and fight the corruption that prevailed under the national conservative Law and Justice government.

As part of that effort, his government has been seeking to bring to justice some former government officials who allegedly broke the law during Law and Justice’s eight years in power, from 2015 to 2023.

“I didn’t expect that corrupt politicians escaping justice would be able to choose between (Belarusian President Alexander) Lukashenko and Orbán,” Tusk said Friday, in an apparent reference to the case of a Polish judge who fled to Belarus this year.

Hungary’s government — which is aligned with Poland’s Law and Justice party — on Thursday offered political asylum to Romanowski, who is wanted on a European arrest warrant.

Romanowski, through his lawyer, argues that he is a victim of political retaliation by the Tusk government.

Gergely Gulyás, Orbán’s chief of staff, said Budapest believes Romanowski would not receive a fair trial in Poland.

Both Poland and Hungary are members of the European Union and Poland considers the Budapest action “an action contrary to the fundamental principle of loyal cooperation” as set out in the EU treaties.

“We consider the decision of the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to grant political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, wanted under a European Arrest Warrant, as an act hostile towards the Republic of Poland and contrary to the elementary principles binding on the Member States of the Union European,” the ministry said.

European Commission spokesman Stefan de Keersmaecker said at a news conference in Brussels on Friday that EU member states are obliged to execute European arrest warrants, meaning Hungary should send Romanowski back to Poland to face justice, although he declined to comment on the details of the case.

Polish prosecutors have accused Romanowski of committing 11 crimes, including conspiracy and bid rigging, and the misappropriation of millions.