🇮🇹 Europe

Does Italy extradite to Russia?

An EU member with a developed practice of refusals in politically tinged cases; a court of appeal takes the decision.

In short

Rarely

Rarely. Italian courts examine the political background and Article 3 risks in detail; refusals in Russian cases are established practice. A court of appeal decides, with recourse to cassation.

Author

INTERPOL PROTECTION Research Desk

Reviewed by

Legal Review Board

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

Overview

Italy is among the jurisdictions with a strong and well-documented practice of refusing surrender on requests from Russia and the CIS.

The procedure has two stages: a court of appeal examines the extradition case, its decision can be challenged in the Court of Cassation, and only then does the matter pass to the justice minister, who may refuse even after a favourable judicial ruling.

Italian courts traditionally pay serious attention to detention conditions in the requesting state and to Article 3 risks. That creates a durable line of defence, but it does not stop the notice itself from operating at the border and in banking.

Legal system

Civil law; a court of appeal examines extradition with recourse to the Court of Cassation, and the justice minister has the final word.

Extradition practice

Refusals on Russian requests are established practice; courts examine detention conditions and Article 3 risks in detail. Own nationals are not extradited.

INTERPOL cooperation

An INTERPOL and Schengen member: a notice operates at the border and in banking compliance regardless of surrender prospects.

Human rights & judicial review

EU and ECHR standards; Article 3 ECHR is the core of extradition defence in Italian practice.

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