Hungary grants political asylum to Polish politician Marcin Romanowski

(Discuss this news on Reddit)

The decision was confirmed by Gergely Gulyás, Minister for the Prime Minister’s Office, in an interview, who stated that the asylum was granted in line with both Hungarian and EU laws due to concerns over the lack of fair judicial processes in Poland.

Concerns Over Rule of Law in Poland

Gulyás highlighted the ongoing crisis regarding the rule of law in Poland, citing actions taken by the current government that have undermined constitutional authority and neglected judicial independence. Romanowski's arrest earlier this summer raised alarms about due process; he was detained despite having immunity as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. It was only when a formal protest was lodged by the Assembly’s President that he was released, underscoring the political tensions surrounding his situation.

Allegations and Political Context

Romanowski's legal representative has stated that his client sought refuge in Hungary to escape politically motivated actions from the Polish government, including wrongful imprisonment and breaches of international law. They also noted that the current political climate in Poland raises serious doubts about receiving a fair trial, with judges allegedly influenced by the ruling party. This asylum request aims to bring global attention to the ongoing political repression faced by opposition figures in Poland.

In response to the asylum decision, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has cautioned that Hungary could find itself in a tenuous position if it were to ignore European laws regarding the European Arrest Warrant.

For more information, visit Hungary Today.