🇵🇱 Europe

Does Poland extradite to Russia?

An EU member with the toughest stance on Russian requests; extradition to Russia does not happen in practice.

In short

Effectively no

No. Poland takes the toughest stance on Russian requests among EU states: extradition to Russia does not happen in practice. A notice nonetheless keeps operating at the Schengen border and in banking compliance.

Author

INTERPOL PROTECTION Research Desk

Reviewed by

Legal Review Board

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

Overview

Poland is the jurisdiction with the most consistent record of refusing Russian extradition requests among EU states.

Extradition cases are heard by a district court, the decision can be appealed, and final consent rests with the justice minister, who may refuse even after a favourable ruling. Politically motivated prosecution is examined seriously and the pattern of refusals is stable.

A notice nonetheless keeps operating: the country is in Schengen and a Red Notice is visible at border control. A separate factor is migratory: an active notice complicates obtaining and renewing legal status.

Legal system

Civil law; a district court examines extradition and the justice minister gives final consent.

Extradition practice

Extradition to Russia does not happen in practice; politically motivated prosecution is examined seriously. Own nationals are not extradited.

INTERPOL cooperation

An INTERPOL and Schengen member; a notice operates at the border and complicates obtaining legal status.

Human rights & judicial review

EU and ECHR standards: Articles 3 and 6 work and ECtHR interim measures are available.

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