🇮🇱 Middle East
Does Israel extradite to Russia?
No extradition treaty with Russia, but statutory protection is narrower than expected: it covers only those who were citizens and residents at the time of the offence.
In short
Mixed practiceThere is no bilateral extradition treaty with Russia, but protection from extradition depends less on that than on the person's status — and it is narrower than commonly assumed: the law protects only those who were already Israeli citizens and residents at the time of the alleged offence.
Author
INTERPOL PROTECTION Research Desk
Reviewed by
Legal Review Board
Overview
In Israel the decisive factor is not the treaty basis (no bilateral extradition treaty with Russia exists) but the person's own status. And here a dangerous misconception is widespread.
Following the 1999 and 2001 amendments, protection from surrender extends only to those who, at the time of the alleged offence, were both citizens and residents of Israel. Repatriation after the events giving rise to the prosecution confers no such protection — a point that matters greatly for anyone who left in connection with a criminal case.
Moreover, even a protected citizen may be extradited to stand trial in the requesting state: the law requires only that the country undertake in advance to return them to Israel to serve any sentence, should they be convicted and so wish. This is not a bar on surrender but a guarantee of return.
A separate factor is judicial control: extradition cases go to court, decisions can be appealed, and arguments about politically motivated prosecution are examined on the merits.
Legal system
A mixed system with a strong case-law element; extradition undergoes judicial examination with a right of appeal.
Extradition practice
There is no bilateral extradition treaty with Russia. Statutory protection covers only those who were Israeli citizens and residents at the time of the offence; and even they may be extradited to stand trial, subject to an undertaking to return them to serve any sentence in Israel.
INTERPOL cooperation
An INTERPOL member; a notice affects border crossing and can complicate status procedures.
Human rights & judicial review
The ECHR does not apply, but a developed system of judicial protection and constitutional review operates; political-persecution arguments are examined on the merits.
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Frequently asked questions
Does repatriation protect against extradition?
Generally not, if the offence predates it. The law protects only those who were already Israeli citizens and residents at the time of the alleged offence — repatriating afterwards confers no such protection.
Does Israel extradite its own citizens?
It may extradite them to stand trial in the requesting state if that state undertakes in advance to return the person to Israel to serve any sentence. This is a guarantee of return, not a bar on surrender.
Does repatriation remove a Red Notice?
No. Obtaining status may change the person's position in the extradition procedure, but the notice itself remains in force — it is deleted only through the CCF.
Related procedures
Sources
- Interpol Constitution and legal framework — Interpol
- Commission for the Control of Interpol's Files (CCF) — Interpol
- List of international treaties of the Russian Federation on legal assistance, extradition and transfer of sentenced persons — Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation
Version history
- v1.0 — Initial publication.
- v1.1 — Country overview update and legal review.