If a person is accused or convicted of a crime in another country in their absence, they face the possibility of being extradited to that country to face the consequences.
/ Expertise / Extradition & INTERPOL Red Notices
For individuals facing such a situation, extradition can often be one of the most critical stages of their overall defence. This is why it is vital that anyone who is subject to an extradition request – or believes they are about to be – seeks immediate advice from experts in this complex and involved area of law.
Our lawyers have represented individuals whose extradition has been requested by a number of countries, including the United States, Brazil, Germany and Kuwait. The offences alleged by these states have often included financial crime, such as fraud and corruption.
Rahman Ravelli has been at the cutting edge of extradition cases since Brexit led to the UK withdrawing from the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) scheme.
Rahman Ravelli acts for individuals in complex extradition matters, either when extradition is the sole issue or when it is part of a larger, cross-border financial crime investigation.
Our extradition team lawyers advise clients on the technical, statutory and human rights challenges that are available when resisting extradition requests. They are skilled at gathering evidence to support all challenges to extradition and have well-established connections with a number of international experts and local lawyers worldwide. This enables us to assist clients, wherever in the world they may be facing extradition-related issues.
At Rahman Ravelli, we believe that extradition can often be a pivotal point in defending a client. This is why our advice in all such cases is pragmatic, strategic and based on our lawyers’ in-depth expertise and experience.
We have particular prowess in using extradition as leverage to negotiate with law enforcement authorities to secure favourable bail packages, reduce the charges against an individual or even discontinue prosecutions. We are also adept at securing specific guarantees to safeguard an individual in the event that extradition does occur.
Extradition proceedings can present reputational risk. But our extradition lawyers frequently work on high-profile cases and are highly experienced in handling all aspects of reputation management, including protecting clients from the brunt of adverse publicity.
Rahman Ravelli also advises clients before extradition proceedings formally commence – often challenging INTERPOL Red Notices. A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition or other legal action.
As frequent precursors to formal extradition proceedings, INTERPOL Red Notices can have a significant impact on an individual’s freedom. Our successful challenges to such notices have involved arguments relating to procedural impropriety or politically-motivated requests.
As we are experienced in representing companies and individuals who are either witnesses or suspects in international criminal investigations, we advise clients about their rights and obligations and how best to pre-empt risks and tactically engage with investigating authorities.
Our involvement in associations such as the International Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the European Criminal Bar Association, the Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum and the International Association of Young Lawyers has seen us forge a strong international legal network. We work closely with those in our network to navigate local law and procedure and achieve the best outcomes for clients.