WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Hungary has granted political asylum to a Polish opposition politician wanted on suspicion of corruption, sparking a diplomatic row that worsened Friday.
The Polish government labeled Hungary’s decision a “hostile act”, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was appalled by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s decision to shelter a man wanted on suspicion of defrauding the stands with millions of zloty.
Poland’s Foreign Ministry said Friday morning that it has summoned its ambassador to Hungary home for “indefinite consultations.” She also called on the Hungarian ambassador in Warsaw to hand him a note of protest.
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The case focuses on the case of former Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski, but also reveals a clash between the rule of law and democracy.
Tusk took office last year promising to restore democratic standards and fight corruption that prevailed under the national conservative Law and Justice government.
As part of those efforts, his government has sought to bring to justice a number of former government officials who allegedly broke the law during Law and Justice’s eight-year rule.
“I did not expect that corrupt politicians who escape justice would be able to choose between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Orbán,” Tusk said on Friday.
Hungary on Thursday offered political asylum to Romanowski, who is wanted on a European arrest warrant.
Romanowski claims through his lawyer that he is the victim of political retaliation by Tusk’s government.
Gergely Gulyás, Orbán’s chief of staff. said Budapest believed Romanowski would not receive a fair trial in Poland.
Both Poland and Hungary are members of the 27-member European Union, and Poland believes Budapest’s move is “an action contrary to the fundamental principle of sincere cooperation” enshrined in the EU treaties.
“We consider the decision of the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to grant political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, wanted on the basis of the European arrest warrant, as an act hostile to the Republic of Poland and contrary to the basic principles governing be binding on the Member States of the European Union. Union,” the ministry said.
Polish prosecutors have accused Romanowski of committing 11 crimes, including criminal groups and tender rigging, and embezzling millions.
