Extradition laws in the UAE [2025]

Extradition cases in the United Arab Emirates require not just knowledge of the law but a deep understanding of international treaties, judicial practice, and the political context. The UAE actively cooperates with dozens of countries and has concluded a number of extradition agreements, which makes the local legal system particularly strict towards foreign requests. If you are under the threat of extradition—do not waste time.

Our legal team specializes in extradition cases in the Emirates. We assess the validity of the request, protect the client’s rights at all stages of the procedure, prepare substantiated objections, and interact with local authorities and international organizations.

The United Arab Emirates adheres to strict rules in the consideration of extradition requests. For a foreign request to be officially accepted and reviewed by UAE authorities, it must meet a number of formal and substantive requirements.

The set of documents accompanying the official request must include the following elements:

In the UAE, the extradition procedure is regulated by a number of domestic and international legal acts. The foundation is Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, as well as Federal Law No. 11 of 1973 on Judicial Authorities and the provisions of the UAE Criminal Procedure Code. Additionally, the provisions of international treaties concluded by the UAE with other countries are applied, and in their absence, the principle of reciprocity is used. The extradition procedure in the UAE follows strictly formalized stages and involves the participation of both judicial and executive authorities.

An extradition request is submitted through diplomatic channels, the prosecutor’s office, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If sufficient data and preliminary evidence of the offense are available, the UAE General Prosecutor’s Office may initiate the detention of a person at the request of a foreign state. The basis for this is either an Interpol Red Notice or a properly legalized arrest warrant.

The detention is carried out by the local police in the respective emirate. After the detention, the person is taken to a pre-trial detention center, being informed of the reason for the detention and their right to defense. At this stage, the foreign state must promptly submit a complete package of documents confirming the legitimacy of the request. Otherwise, the detainee is subject to release.

After the case is transferred by the prosecutor’s office, the question of the admissibility of extradition is considered by the Appellate Court of the respective emirate. This is a key stage where the court analyzes the legality of the request, the presence of double criminality, compliance with procedural requirements, absence of political motivation, and adherence to human rights.

Meetings are held in an open or closed format. The court hears the position of the General Prosecutor’s Office, the representative of the foreign state, and the lawyers of the detainee. Possible risks are also assessed: the threat of torture, violation of the right to a fair trial, the death penalty, or cruel treatment in the requesting country. The court’s decision may either favor extradition or result in a refusal.

After reviewing the case, the Appellate Court issues a ruling clearly stating the grounds for approving or rejecting the extradition request. In the event of a refusal of extradition, the person is immediately released.

However, if the court approved the extradition, the detainee retains the right to appeal in the Court of Cassation. The lawyer can file a cassation appeal within the established timeframe. Until the proceedings are completed, the individual remains in custody. Additionally, at this stage, lawyers can further submit motions, provide international rulings or other documents proving the illegality of the extradition.

The Cassation Court is the highest judicial authority for criminal cases in the emirate. It does not review the factual circumstances of the case but verifies the legal correctness and procedural legality of the issued ruling. Sessions are held in written form, although oral hearings are also possible.

The judges of the Cassation Court analyze whether the rights of the detainee were respected, whether the norms of the law were correctly interpreted, and whether there was any abuse of the extradition procedure. Based on the results of the review, the Cassation Court either upholds the decision of the Appellate Court or overturns it and sends the case for reconsideration.

Even if the court has approved extradition, the final decision is made by the Minister of Justice of the UAE. He has the authority to either approve the extradition or refuse it—regardless of the court’s position, if it is necessary to protect state interests, international obligations, or human rights.

The minister takes into account diplomatic relations, humanitarian circumstances, the risk of political repression, and compliance with international law. Only after signing the corresponding order does the extradition procedure begin: coordination with the foreign state, preparation for transfer, transportation under guard, and completion of the procedure.

Let us consider the key reasons why the UAE may reject an extradition request:

The principle of reciprocity means that a state may agree to the extradition of a foreign citizen if the requesting party officially assures that in a similar situation it will fulfill the same request from the UAE. Thus, both parties undertake to respect and fulfill mutual obligations, even in the absence of a formalized agreement.

This principle is recognized by Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on the provision of international legal assistance in criminal cases. It allows for the possibility of transferring a person under a number of conditions, if the requesting state provides official diplomatic assurances, confirmation of compliance with all international standards, and guarantees of respect for the rights and freedoms of the person.

Assurances are sent through diplomatic channels via the embassy or the foreign affairs agency. They must contain an obligation to extradite a similar person upon request by the UAE, confirmation of compliance with international standards in the treatment of the extradited individual, a guarantee of a fair trial, and, if necessary, an obligation not to apply the death penalty or torture.

Extradition procedures in the UAE are characterized by high legal complexity and require a deep understanding of local legislation. Mistakes at early stages can lead to undesirable extradition or prolonged restrictions on freedom. Our lawyers have many years of experience defending clients caught in the center of the extradition process in the UAE, whether at the stage of detention, court proceedings, or appeals. We carefully analyze the legal grounds of the request, identify possible violations, and develop a defense strategy taking into account international norms.

If extradition is initiated without the presence of a treaty, we will verify the legitimacy of applying the principle of reciprocity. If necessary, we will file motions to dismiss the case or initiate appeals to international human rights organizations. We also handle cases at all levels: from the Appellate Court to the Cassation Court and up to the final decision of the Minister of Justice. Contact us right now to protect your rights and freedom. A consultation could be a decisive step toward a positive outcome.