Is there a chance for Zbigniew Ziobro's quick return to Poland? At the moment, everything indicates that it is not. Already in mid-April, we wrote in Business Insider Polska that Peter Magyar's victory would not quickly affect Ziobro's situation, and the asylum obtained in Hungary and the Geneva passport allow him to travel almost all over the world.
Whether this will continue to be the case depends not only on Hungary, but mainly on the USA. We talked about the legal aspects that, apart from politics, determine Ziobro's situation with three lawyers from Hungary, Poland and the USA, who, however, prefer not to speak under their names at the moment.
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Zbigniew Ziobro is wanted on an arrest warrantbut for now… only in Poland. This is the result of the February 2026 decision of the District Court for Warsaw-Mokotów to apply pre-trial detention to the former Minister of Justice. However, this decision was appealed by his defenders, so it is not final. Until the case is over, Zbigniew Ziobro can safely stay outside Poland. This is possible because he is still protected by the asylum granted in Hungary, and thanks to this he can use a Geneva passport, which makes it easier for him to travel.
Peter Magyar said right after winning the elections that “They won't stay here for long.” And Zbigniew Ziobro actually managed to leave Budapest before Magyar took over as prime minister.
While in April Magyar, still as a politician, declared “We in Hungary will not be an asylum for international criminals”, as Prime Minister he cooled down his emotions during his visit to Poland. When asked by a TVP journalist whether the new Hungarian government would decide to revoke asylum for Polish politicians, he assured that “this situation will be investigated.”
Even if the procedure to deprive Ziobro of asylum in Hungary begins quickly, it will take months. – Even if there is pressure on the pace, officials must follow the procedures – a Hungarian lawyer tells us.
It will be run by the Hungarian Office for Foreigners (Országos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság, National Directorate General for Foreigners).
— First, the procedure for depriving refugee status requires the authority to interview Ziobro in order to clarify the facts relevant to the resolution of the case, in particular to enable him to present the reasons why he should not be deprived of refugee status or to provide him with an opportunity to provide explanations in writing. This will take time, just like translating the legal basis of the decision into a language understandable to the foreigner. Even if it is negative, it can be appealed – tells us one of the lawyers who knows the background of such activities.
Therefore, in his opinion, lawyers will use various procedural tricks to prolong the proceedings, and as a result, their outcome will no longer matter. According to our informant, the key issue now is not Hungary, but the USA.
Read also: Ziobro appears in the American capital. Its recipients are already known
The fate of Zbigniew Ziobro depends on the USA
If the Hungarian authorities result in the deprivation of refugee status and thus the expiration of the Geneva passport, this does not necessarily mean that Zbigniew Ziobro's situation will worsen.
As our next interlocutor emphasizes, it is not certain that the former Minister of Justice will not apply for refugee status in the USA. Is it possible?
Under US law, persons who, among others: are persecuted due to race, political opinions or membership in a specific social group, may be covered by refugee status and, as a result, obtain a new Geneva Travel Document (Geneva passport) in the USA.
In accordance with the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, drawn up in Geneva on July 28, 1951, the personal status of each refugee is determined by the law of the his permanent residence, and if he does not permanently reside anywhere, the law of the country in which he resides. Zbigniew Ziobro is in the USA.
— At this stage, in accordance with the convention, Ziobro's personal status is determined by US law – where he resides. Personal capacity, i.e. all the norms defining the legal situation of an individual (e.g. legal capacity, marital status, family rights and obligations) – explains another lawyer.
Ziobro is staying there on the basis of a Geneva passport issued in Hungary, but it no longer matters as long as it does not expire. Maybe by depriving him of asylum and also losing his term. WITHAccording to Hungarian law, the Geneva passport is issued for one year. However, it is not known how long Ziobro's document is valid for.
Moreover, everything indicates that Ziobro received a journalist's visa. Poland is demanding its cancellation, but again it may take time.
Meanwhile, the states parties to the convention they will not expel a refugee legally residing in their territoriesfor reasons other than national security or public order. The expulsion of such a refugee may only take place based on a decision taken in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law. Moreover, as the US lawyer points out to us, the Convention grants such a refugee a reasonable period to seek legal admission in another country.
The situation may be different in relation to a person convicted by a final judgment, and Ziobro was not even charged. As a result, he is still free as a bird, able to travel around the world – although not to Poland. For now, however, it is only in our country that he can feel insecure.
