🇧🇷 South America

Does Brazil extradite to Russia?

The Supreme Court decides; Brazil does not surrender its own nationals or recognised refugees.

In short

Rarely

Rarely, although a bilateral extradition treaty with Russia was signed in 2002. The Federal Supreme Court decides and the procedure is strictly formalised: Brazil does not surrender its own nationals or recognised refugees, and the political character of a case is a standalone ground for refusal.

Author

INTERPOL PROTECTION Research Desk

Reviewed by

Legal Review Board

Published: August 3, 2026Updated: August 3, 2026

Overview

A bilateral extradition treaty signed in 2002 is in force between Russia and Brazil, so a formal channel exists. But Brazil belongs to the jurisdictions with a high level of judicial control: the Federal Supreme Court examines the request, and without its consent surrender is impossible in principle.

The Constitution expressly prohibits extraditing own nationals, as well as extradition for political offences and offences of opinion. Recognition as a refugee terminates extradition proceedings.

The practical risk lies less in surrender than in border control: INTERPOL database screening is carried out, and a Red Notice can lead to detention on entry even where there is no prospect of surrender.

Legal system

Civil law; the Federal Supreme Court examines extradition, with final transfer an executive decision within the limits the court approved.

Extradition practice

A bilateral extradition treaty with Russia was signed in 2002, but the Constitution prohibits extraditing own nationals and extradition for political offences, and refugee recognition terminates proceedings.

INTERPOL cooperation

An INTERPOL member; a notice runs through the judicial procedure but can still cause border detention.

Human rights & judicial review

The Inter-American human-rights system applies, and constitutional guarantees are applied directly in extradition cases.

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