BUDAPEST, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) --- Marcin Romanowski, former Polish deputy minister of justice, has been granted political asylum in Hungary, according to Gergely Gulyas, minister in charge of the Prime Minister's Office.

Prosecutors in Poland issued an arrest warrant for Romanowski who is wanted on criminal charges about one week ago. Prosecutors accused him of 11 charges including involvement in an organized crime group, using crime as a source of income, and abusing his power while serving as deputy minister of justice.

Hungary's asylum decision comes amid strained relations between Poland and Hungary, despite the countries traditionally being close allies within the European Union (EU).

In an interview with a local online journal Mandiner on Thursday, Gulyas confirmed that Romanowski had arrived in Hungary and was granted asylum by Hungarian and EU regulations. The minister said that Hungary's decision was based on concerns about the lack of a fair trial and political influence in Poland.

He underlined that Romanowski had been arrested earlier this year despite holding immunity as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Enditem

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