Updated 6 June 2026 · 8 min read
Key principles
countries must treat the act as criminal
reviews the lawfulness of surrender
ban on political cases in INTERPOL
What extradition is
Extradition is the surrender of a person by one country to another for prosecution or to serve a sentence. It is carried out under international treaties and national law.
Stages of the procedure
The procedure usually involves detention, examination of the request, a court hearing and an executive decision. Defence is possible at each stage: from challenging detention to proving grounds for refusal.
Grounds for refusal
Grounds include the political character of the case, the risk of torture or an unfair trial, nationality, lack of dual criminality, expired limitation periods and the risk of violating fundamental human rights.
Frequently asked questions
Do countries extradite their nationals?
Many do not, or only with limits, sometimes substituting domestic prosecution.
Does asylum help against extradition?
Recognised protection status complicates surrender, especially in political cases.