Hungary’s Interior Ministry has confirmed that a review of refugee statuses granted on political grounds under the previous government is already underway. The procedure could affect several high-profile figures who received asylum in Hungary during Viktor Orbán’s premiership, including former Polish politicians Marcin Romanowski and Zbigniew Ziobro, as well as former North Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
The ministry stated that the review process began in May, following an earlier instruction from the interior minister. According to the official announcement, Hungary’s asylum authority is currently reassessing refugee statuses granted to European Union citizens on political grounds.
Authorities summon asylum recipients for hearings
The Interior Ministry said affected individuals have been formally notified about the launch of the proceedings. They have also been instructed to appear in person before the authorities, which officials describe as essential for establishing the facts of each case.
Those who attend hearings will have the opportunity to present their arguments and submit evidence supporting the continuation of their refugee status. If they fail to appear, authorities will make decisions based on the available documentation and information in their absence.
The ministry added that all decisions will be communicated directly to those concerned. If an individual’s whereabouts are unknown, notifications may be published through official public notices in accordance with Hungarian law.
Those affected will retain the right to challenge any decision before a court.
New government follows through on campaign pledge
The review follows statements made by Prime Minister Péter Magyar after his election victory. Magyar previously announced that his government would re-examine cases involving politicians who received political asylum in Hungary while facing criminal proceedings or convictions in their home countries.
During a visit to Warsaw in May, Magyar stated that Hungary would not become a refuge for individuals wanted by international authorities. He also suggested that after the April election defeat of Fidesz, some of the asylum recipients had already left the country.
According to Magyar, Ziobro is believed to have departed towards the United States, while Romanowski reportedly left Hungary via Serbia.
Polish politicians among the most controversial cases
One of the most prominent cases concerns Marcin Romanowski, a politician from Poland’s conservative-nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party. Romanowski fled to Hungary in December 2024 and was subsequently granted political asylum by the Orbán government.
Polish prosecutors accuse him of corruption and misuse of public funds. The case has attracted significant attention both in Poland and Hungary.
As Daily News Hungary recently reported, Romanowski earned HUF 17.5 million while serving as head of the Hungarian-Polish Freedom Institute in Budapest. The organisation was reportedly established by the pro-government think tank Centre for Fundamental Rights.
Another key figure is former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro. Polish authorities suspect him of establishing and leading an organised criminal group during the PiS administration. Investigators allege that the network may have embezzled more than PLN 150 million (approximately HUF 12.7 billion/EUR 35.3 million).
Ziobro remains wanted in Poland and received asylum in Hungary together with his wife earlier this year under the Orbán government.
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Nikola Gruevski case may also be revisited
The review is also expected to cover the case of Nikola Gruevski, the former Prime Minister of North Macedonia and longtime leader of the VMRO-DPMNE party.
After losing power in 2016, Gruevski became the subject of several corruption investigations. In 2018, he fled North Macedonia to avoid serving a two-year prison sentence and eventually reached Hungary through a route that reportedly involved assistance from Hungarian authorities.
Since then, North Macedonian courts have sentenced him in absentia in additional corruption cases, resulting in a total of ten more years in prison. He has also faced allegations linked to a large-scale illegal wiretapping scandal.
Details to remain confidential for now
The Interior Ministry emphasised that the procedures are being conducted in accordance with Hungarian and international legal requirements. Officials also noted that, under current legislation, the public can only be fully informed about individual cases after any decisions revoking refugee status become legally final.
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