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US Grants Visa to Charged Polish Ex-Minister, Extradition Planned

5/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau secured a U.S. journalist visa for former Polish minister Zbigniew Ziobro.
Landau said Poland will prepare an extradition request for Ziobro, who faces 26 charges for misusing victim-compensation funds.
He justified the expedited visa as a national-security issue, though officials could not explain the rationale.
The visa let Ziobro leave Hungary before Prime Minister Peter Magyar took office, despite Magyar’s pledge to return him.

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Story summary

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau secured a U.S. journalist visa for former Polish minister Zbigniew Ziobro.
Landau said Poland will prepare an extradition request for Ziobro, who faces 26 charges for misusing victim-compensation funds.
He justified the expedited visa as a national-security issue, though officials could not explain the rationale.
The visa let Ziobro leave Hungary before Prime Minister Peter Magyar took office, despite Magyar’s pledge to return him.