Hungary sparks row with Poland by granting asylum to ex-minister

Marcin Romanowski is facing 11 charges in Poland, including being accused of defrauding the state.

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Marcin Romanowski, 48, is facing 11 charges in Poland, including defrauding or attempting to defraud $40m (£32m; €39m) from a justice fund meant to help victims of crime when he served as deputy justice minister under the previous Law and Justice-led government between 2019 and 2023.

"We consider the decision of Viktor Orban's government to grant political asylum to M.Romanowski, a suspect in criminal offences and wanted under a European Arrest Warrant, to be an act hostile to the Republic of Poland and the principles of the European Union," Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on X on Thursday night.

"Tomorrow we will announce our decisions."

On Friday, the foreign ministry said it was summoning Hungary's ambassador to the country and would request the European Commission to launch proceedings against Budapest if it fails to fulfil its EU obligations.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dp61weeggo

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