Polish services locate fugitive lawmaker Marcin Romanowski in Transnistria with 99% certainty

Intelligence confirmation in Tiraspol

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on 18 August 2026 that partner intelligence services in the region confirmed that Law and Justice (PiS) lawmaker Marcin Romanowski is residing in Transnistria with 99% certainty. Tusk made the statement to reporters prior to a government cabinet meeting, pointing to the Russian-backed breakaway region of Moldova as the fugitive former official's hiding place. Transnistria has functioned as an unrecognised separatist territory supported by Russia since the armed conflict of the early 1990s. Tusk directed sharp criticism at Romanowski's political camp following the intelligence briefing.

No commentary is needed here. This fact alone is enough commentary not only on Mr. Romanowski, but on the entire political formation that used such people, sheltered them, and continues to shelter them today.

Safe conduct request and prosecution response

The announcement follows an official postal delivery received by Polish judicial authorities. Anna Ptaszek, spokeswoman for criminal matters at the Warsaw District Court, stated in mid-August that Romanowski filed a formal application for a safe conduct letter to allow him to return without immediate detention. The court confirmed that both the letter and its envelope bore postmarks indicating they were dispatched directly from Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria. On 18 August 2026, the National Prosecutor's Office submitted a formal filing to the Warsaw District Court opposing the request, stating that no legal grounds exist to grant Romanowski a safe conduct letter.

The Justice Fund investigation and asylum history

Romanowski, who served as deputy justice minister in the previous PiS administration, faces charges of participating in an organised criminal group and rigging grant competitions financed by the Justice Fund. Polish authorities issued a domestic arrest warrant and a European Arrest Warrant through the Warsaw District Court after Romanowski failed to appear for legal proceedings and could not be found by domestic enforcement agencies. Romanowski had previously secured political asylum in Hungary on 19 December 2024. Following a change of government in Budapest in May 2026, Hungarian authorities revoked his refugee status and invalidated his travel documents in early July 2026, prompting multiple unconfirmed reports regarding his subsequent location.

Moldovan border records and verification efforts

Despite the mailing from Tiraspol and regional intelligence assessments, prosecutorial authorities note that Romanowski's physical presence at the specified address remains unverified by direct documentation. National Prosecutor's Office spokesman Przemysław Nowak stated on 18 August 2026 that a suspect's unilateral declaration is insufficient on its own. Nowak explained that preliminary records show Romanowski has not crossed the border into Moldova through constitutional checkpoints in the past five years, with no recorded crossings into neighbouring Romania or Ukraine. The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on 13 August 2026 that Romanowski did not enter through state-controlled border posts, while the country's General Police Inspectorate maintains ongoing communication with Polish law enforcement. Polish prosecutors have formally requested assistance from Romanian and Moldovan authorities to determine whether Romanowski crossed their frontiers and resides at the address provided in Transnistria.