Being subject to an international arrest warrant can be a very unsettling experience. And while international warrants play a crucial role in facilitating the arrest and extradition of criminals across borders, they are often incorrect or motivated by invalid reasons. Since there is no one specific so-called International Arrest Warrant, the following international prosecution tools can prepare for a suspect’s arrest and extradition:

• Interpol Red Notices and Diffusions,
• The European Arrest Warrant (EAW),
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) Arrest Warrant

At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our main priority is to protect the rights and freedom of our clients, especially when unjustly faced with international prosecution. We analyze the warrants that did or could lead to our client’s arrest and potential extradition and build the best possible defense strategy accordingly. Our team of extradition lawyers has extensive experience in defending clients from being extradited.

Although not a warrant in itself, the Interpol Red Notice is among the more well-known prosecution mechanisms in international law. It serves as a tool among law enforcement authorities in Interpol’s member countries for cooperation in locating and apprehending fugitives. Based on a valid national arrest warrant, Interpol Red Notices are circulated between all 195 member countries of Interpol, who are requested to assist in arresting and extraditing the wanted person.

The relevance of Interpol Red Notices is also backed by the number of Red Notices published – at the end of 2021, 69.270 Red Notices were circulating. Therefore, it is critical to have lawyers with extensive knowledge and experience in Interpol issues to help you determine whether you are the subject of an Interpol Red Notice and, if so, to get it removed effectively.

Read more about our team’s successes in removing Interpol Red Notices from Saudi Arabia and Russia.

The European Arrest Warrant (EAW) has significantly expanded the efficiency of cross-border extradition within the European Union. Its purpose is the simplified and accelerated enforcement of a national arrest warrant within another EU member state.

In some cases, extradition is permissible even if the suspect’s doing does not constitute a criminal offense under the law of the requested state. The list of criminal offenses in the framework decision about the EAW enumerates the crimes that qualify for an EAW regardless of the criminal liability in the individual member states. These include, for example, involvement in a criminal organization, terrorism, human trafficking, aiding and abetting illegal entry and residence and corruption.

The principle of mutual recognition is a fundamental element of the EAW. It is founded on trust and direct contact among the judicial authorities of the Member States. Due to this presumption of trust, the defense against a European Arrest Warrant is particularly demanding and requires the support of experienced experts.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) can issue arrest warrants for individuals accused of committing international crimes, such as war crimes, genocide or crimes against humanity. ICC Arrest Warrants depend on the member countries and their level of cooperation in the arrest and surrender of the accused individual.

On March 17th, 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova. While it has not led to the arrest of either of them, it minimizes their ability to travel freely without the risk of being arrested immensely.

Our team of extradition and Interpol lawyers begins your defense by carefully analysing your case. We examine any arrest warrant or Interpol Notice against you with regard to its validity, formal violations and reasoning. In the course of the defence, our team will handle all communication with relevant authorities worldwide and make sure to explore all available legal measures to prevent extradition and to delete a Red Notice or challenge an EAW. Our lawyers are aware of the immense burden an international arrest warrant amounts to and will work tirelessly to cancel any arrest warrant against you and to avoid the progress of extradition proceedings.