Orban-linked think tank funded fugitive Polish MP’s attacks on Tusk gov't
Former Polish Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski, wanted in his home country, received significant funding from a pro-Orban Hungarian think tank to support his efforts to challenge the Polish administration, according to Hungarian media reports.
Romanowski is currently sought on a second European Arrest Warrant for alleged misuse of Poland's Justice Fund, a reserve within the Ministry of Justice designed to assist victims of crime.
In April 2025, when Victor Orban headed the Hungarian government, Romanowski was appointed head of the newly created Hungarian-Polish Institute of Freedom, operating under the umbrella of the Orban-linked think tank, the Centre for Fundamental Rights (Alapjogokert Koezpont), according to Thursday reports by Hungarian outlets Nepszava and HVG.
The organisation was apparently designed to counter the current Polish government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Institute wrote in its official mission statement: "Poland has become a research laboratory where the values that form the foundations of Western civilisation are questioned and constantly attacked."
The centre actively published a series of articles aimed at the political situation in Warsaw, focusing on the alleged "attacks by the liberal administration [of Tusk] on the Polish constitution and freedom of speech."
While evading Polish authorities, Romanowski earned approximately PLN 210,000 (EUR 49,553) from the Budapest-based centre, the Hungarian newspaper Nepszava reported, citing the financial disclosure of the former deputy justice minister. He managed to retain a significant portion of the payout, declaring 8.7 million forints (over PLN 100,000 or EUR 23,590) in cash savings from his time in the Hungarian capital, HVG weekly added.
Romanowski, along with former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, both serving in the previous Law and Justice government, received international protection and asylum from Viktor Orban's government. Both politicians face severe criminal charges in Poland regarding massive irregularities within the Justice Fund.
While Ziobro has left Hungary for the United States, Romanowski abruptly vacated his Budapest apartment at the end of April. Polish media reports indicate he has fled further into the Balkans and was recently spotted in Serbia and Croatia. (PAP)
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