Marcin Romanowski, the former Polish deputy justice minister accused of corruption and misuse of public funds, received HUF 17.5 million while living in Hungary under political asylum, according to his latest asset declaration.

Lucrative role at Hungarian institute

The Polish politician, who fled to Hungary in late 2024 after becoming the subject of criminal proceedings in Poland, was employed by the Hungarian think tank Centre for Fundamental Rights. His earnings were disclosed in an annual financial statement submitted to the Polish parliament.

Romanowski reported income of HUF 17.5 million (currently almost EUR 50,000) from his position as head of the Hungarian-Polish Freedom Institute, an organisation established by the Centre for Fundamental Rights. According to the institute’s mission statement, it focuses on preserving and promoting shared Hungarian and Polish values, particularly in the face of challenges such as federalisation within the European Union, illegal migration, and what it describes as “woke ideology”.

Romanowski was well-off in Hungary, too

As HVG reported, the former deputy minister also continued to receive remuneration from the Polish parliament despite his absence from parliamentary sessions. His declaration shows parliamentary earnings of 16,092 zloty (approximately HUF 1.4 million, or EUR 3,950), alongside savings amounting to around HUF 8.7 million (around EUR 24,550) and 13,600 zloty (around HUF 1.14 million, or EUR 3,200) in cash reserves.

Romanowski was granted political asylum by the Orbán government in December 2024 after Polish prosecutors sought to hold him accountable over alleged financial irregularities connected to a justice fund. He has consistently denied all accusations, claiming that the investigation against him is politically motivated.

He would have to face serious allegations in Poland

The politician, formerly a member of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government, faces a total of 19 charges in Poland. Prosecutors allege that members of the previous administration unlawfully distributed billions of forints worth of public funds to organisations linked to the party and were involved in the acquisition of Pegasus spyware.

Romanowski maintains that he is the victim of political persecution and used his asset declaration to criticise Poland’s current authorities. In a lengthy statement attached to the filing, he argued that the Polish prosecution service is operating unlawfully and accused several senior officials, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, of wrongdoing.

Read also: Magyar meets Tusk in Poland on first foreign trip

Left Hungary ahead of government change

Following the Hungarian parliamentary election won by Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party, Romanowski reportedly left Hungary before the new government took office. His current whereabouts remain unclear, although media reports have suggested he may have travelled through the Balkans.

Magyar previously stated that Hungary would no longer serve as a refuge for foreign politicians facing criminal proceedings and pledged cooperation with Polish authorities regarding individuals granted asylum by the previous government. Romanowski has since continued to communicate through online video messages from undisclosed locations.

More on Poland’s corruption case: Polish minister Ziobro fled Hungary the same day as new Péter Magyar took office