HomeInternational Extradition in Dubai
Dubai has long become a global hub attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and expats from around the world. However, along with the international status and openness of the UAE, the level of legal cooperation between countries is also growing. Increasingly, Emirati police receive requests for detention through Interpol or extradition mechanisms, and a person may face this unexpectedly: at the airport, in a bank, or during a routine document check. In such situations, time plays a crucial role. The first hours after detention determine whether the defense will be properly built.
Our team of lawyers provides comprehensive protection against extradition in Dubai and other emirates. We analyze the legal grounds of the request, verify its compliance with international agreements, and ensure interaction with the competent authorities of the UAE. We protect clients’ interests at all stages: appeal arrests and temporary detentions, file legal objections against extradition, provide diplomatic and procedural guarantees, and collaborate with lawyers from the requesting country.
What is international extradition?
International extradition is an official legal procedure in which one state transfers to another a person accused or convicted of a crime for criminal prosecution or execution of a sentence. It is based on the principles of international cooperation and is regulated by bilateral or multilateral treaties, as well as the national laws of the participating countries.
The main goal of extradition is to combat the impunity of criminals who try to hide beyond the jurisdiction where the crime was committed. The tasks of extradition include:
- Ensuring justice and the inevitability of punishment;
- Protection of public safety and law and order;
- Strengthening international trust and legal cooperation.
The extradition process always takes place in several stages and involves the participation of both judicial and diplomatic bodies.
- Request for extradition. The state where the crime was committed sends an official request (through diplomatic channels or Interpol) to the country where the wanted person is located.
- Temporary detention. The authorities of the state that received the request may temporarily detain the person until the full set of documents is received and the validity of the request is verified.
- Verification and judicial review. The court evaluates the legality of the request: the presence of an international treaty, dual criminality, absence of political motives, threats of torture or the death penalty.
- Decision on extradition. After the court’s conclusion, the competent authority (Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Foreign Affairs) makes the final decision on extradition.
- Transfer of the person. If extradition is approved, the states coordinate the date and place of the transfer, ensuring compliance with procedural and humanitarian guarantees.
The extradition procedure is complex because it involves the intersection of national and international legal systems. Any mistake in argumentation, timing, or documentation can lead to irreparable consequences: unlawful arrest or extradition. Therefore, the defense of the interests of the person for whom an extradition request has been made must be based on precise knowledge of international law, the practices of specific countries, and Interpol mechanisms.
The Law on Extradition in Dubai
Extradition in the United Arab Emirates is regulated by a set of national and international norms, the main one being Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 “On International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters.” This law became a key document establishing unified procedures for all emirates and enshrined legal mechanisms for interaction between the UAE and other states in the extradition of accused and convicted persons.
Federal Law No. 39/2006 stipulates that extradition is possible only within the framework of:
- An international treaty concluded between the UAE and the requesting state;
- The principle of reciprocity, if agreements between countries are absent.
The law clearly delineates the competence of the authorities:
- The Ministry of Justice of the UAE: reviews and approves extradition requests;
- The General Prosecutor’s Office: conducts a review of the legal validity of the request;
- Courts of the Emirates: make a decision on the legality or illegality of issuance.
According to Article 7 of the law, extradition is permitted only if a number of key conditions are met:
- The committed act is a crime both under the laws of the UAE and the laws of the requesting country (the principle of double criminality);
- A criminal case has been initiated against the person, or they have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for at least one year;
- Sufficient evidence is presented confirming the individual’s involvement in the crime.
In addition to national legislation, Dubai and other emirates are guided by more than 40 bilateral extradition treaties concluded with countries such as Italy, France, the United Kingdom, India, China, Russia, and others. The UAE is also a participant in the Arab Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, which strengthens regional cooperation.
The process begins with receiving an official request through diplomatic channels or Interpol. Then the Dubai prosecutor’s office conducts a preliminary review and, if necessary, authorizes temporary detention. The case is transferred to the Dubai court, which evaluates the legal grounds and admissibility of extradition. After the court’s decision, the materials are sent to the UAE Ministry of Justice, where the final decision on extradition is made.
Federal Law No. 39/2006 made extradition procedures in Dubai transparent and compliant with international standards. It ensures a balance between cooperation in combating crime and guaranteeing the protection of individual rights. This is why extradition cases in the UAE are considered with a high degree of attention, legal rigor, and mandatory participation of professional defenders.
The first steps in the event of a threat of extradition
Step 1. Do not give testimony without a lawyer
The main rule during any detention is to remain silent until the arrival of a lawyer. Even if the police seem polite and assure you that “this is just a formality,” any of your words can be used in court during the consideration of the extradition matter.
It is especially dangerous to comment on the details of the case, the requesting country, or your citizenship. Even innocent answers can be interpreted against you. UAE law and international conventions guarantee the right to defense, and you have the full right to refuse interrogation until consulting with a lawyer.
Step 2. Contact a specialized extradition lawyer
Not every lawyer is capable of effectively defending in an extradition process. Such cases require highly specialized knowledge of international law, treaties between countries, and Interpol procedures. A general practice lawyer may not know the nuances. For example, how to verify the legality of a notice, challenge a warrant, or achieve temporary release on bail.
Professional extradition lawyer:
- Analyzes the grounds of the request and verifies its legality;
- Determines possible grounds for refusal of issuance (political nature of accusations, threat to human rights, etc.);
- Interacts with the authorities of the UAE, Interpol, and diplomatic representatives of your country.
The earlier you consult a specialist, the more opportunities they have to develop a defense strategy.
Step 3. Notify the consulate of your country
If you are a foreigner in the UAE, it is important to immediately report the situation to the consulate or embassy of your country. Consular representatives are obliged to confirm your identity, monitor the observance of your rights during detention, and assist in contacting relatives and a lawyer.
However, it is important to understand that the consulate cannot interfere in the judicial process or overturn an extradition decision. Its role is diplomatic and observational. Therefore, consular assistance does not replace full legal defense.
Step 4. Gather key information and documents
Your lawyer will be able to act effectively only with basic information. Prepare and provide the following documents:
- A copy of the passport and UAE visa;
- Notifications of detention or international warrant;
- Any documents related to the criminal case (verdict, warrant, interrogation protocol, correspondence with authorities);
- Contact details of relatives or individuals who can confirm your location and status in the UAE (for example, employer or landlord).
The more reliable data the lawyer receives, the faster they will be able to determine the defense strategy: from challenging the legality of the request to filing an appeal in the Dubai court.
Grounds for Refusal of Extradition: Defense Strategies
Strategy №1. Attack on the formal grounds of the request
The first line of defense is checking the formal side of the extradition request. Even the slightest errors in the documents can be grounds for refusal. Lawyers analyze:
- Does the request comply with the requirements of the bilateral agreement or the principle of reciprocity;
- Are certified copies of court decisions and arrest warrants attached;
- Is the exact legal basis indicated, the article of the criminal code, the description of the crime;
- Are the documents translated into the official language of the receiving country (Arabic)?
If the documents are prepared with violations, the defense may achieve a return or rejection of the request without substantive consideration.
Strategy №2. Proving the political nature of the case
Extradition is not permitted if the prosecution is related to political motives. This is enshrined in all international conventions and in UAE Federal Law No. 39/2006. The task of the defense is to prove that the charges have a political basis. This may include:
- Participation in opposition activities or criticism of the authorities;
- Criminal prosecution as a result of a conflict between business groups with political influence;
- The use of a criminal case as a method of pressure or revenge.
Lawyers are gathering evidence: media publications, threats, political statements, data from human rights organizations. The goal is to convince the court that extradition would endanger not only the freedom but also the life of the accused.
Strategy №3. Humanitarian Protection
The second most frequent, but no less strong line of defense is an appeal to humanitarian grounds. International norms, including the UN Convention Against Torture, prohibit extradition if there is a risk of inhuman treatment. The grounds may be as follows:
- A state of health in which extradition would endanger life;
- The presence of minor children fully dependent on the accused;
- The risk of being held in inhuman conditions in the prison of the requesting state;
- The probability of the death penalty or life imprisonment without the right to appeal.
In such cases, lawyers seek to obtain medical reports, expert opinions, certificates from consulates and international human rights organizations supporting the humanitarian position.
Strategy №4. Proactive Work with Interpol
If the case is accompanied by a Red Notice, it is important to act proactively. Even in the absence of an extradition request, the notice can lead to arrest. Professional lawyers initiate a parallel appeal procedure with the CCF Commission. Grounds:
- The political nature of the case;
- Violation of the principle of proportionality;
- The presence of a court decision to terminate the case in the country of origin;
- Violation of personal data processing rules.
The removal of a notification from the Interpol database significantly reduces the risk of arrest and international restrictions.
Strategy №5. Argument about the violation of the principle of ne bis in idem
If a person has already been convicted or acquitted for the same crime in another jurisdiction, extradition is impossible. This principle is enshrined both in international conventions and in the national laws of many countries. Lawyers request court decisions and evidence confirming that the case has already been reviewed and has legal force. This excludes the possibility of double jeopardy and serves as a direct basis for refusal of extradition.
Strategy №6. Insufficiency of evidence and violation of procedural rights
Sometimes extradition is requested at an early stage of the investigation without a conviction or with a minimal set of evidence. In such cases, the defense may argue that:
- The presented evidence does not confirm the involvement of the person;
- The request contradicts the principle of the presumption of innocence;
- The requesting country violated procedural standards (for example, the absence of a lawyer during interrogation).
Such a defense strategy is often used to gain time and subsequently appeal to higher instances.
Strategy №7. Territorial protection and lack of jurisdiction
If the crime was committed on the territory of a third state or in the UAE, extradition may be denied. In this case, the defense builds its argumentation on territorial jurisdiction and proposes to consider the case in the courts of the Emirates. This approach is especially effective if the person has a long-term residency permit, business, or family in the UAE, which strengthens the position for the necessity of internal proceedings.
Analysis of extradition cases
Case №1. Removal of Red Notice
The client sought assistance after more than 20 years of unsuccessful attempts to remove the Red Notice issued by Interpol under the international search line. Despite submitted appeals and official review by the CCF Commission, his previous requests were denied. The team of lawyers developed a new strategy based on the analysis of previous submissions and the reasons for CCF’s refusals. The work included:
- Judicial and legal examination of all previously submitted materials;
- Identification of procedural errors and violations of Interpol norms;
- Review of the case considering new circumstances, changes in international standards, and possible human rights violations.
Lawyers have prepared an updated and more substantiated appeal to the CCF, supplementing it with legal references and evidence of violations of the principles of fairness.
Case №2. Prevention of unlawful extradition through proof of the civil nature of the dispute
The second case concerns a client who moved to the USA and faced the threat of a Red Notice being issued based on a private financial conflict. An attempt was made to use the Interpol mechanism against him by submitting the request as a criminal case, although it was a civil law dispute. The legal team identified several issues:
- The absence of a criminal component and an attempt to abuse Interpol’s tools;
- The risk of unlawful arrest and extradition in a financial case;
- The necessity of protecting the client in the American jurisdiction considering international guarantees of human rights.
Evidence was collected confirming the civil nature of the dispute and the absence of criminal elements. The lawyers prepared a justification to prevent any use of a Red Notice, thereby completely eliminating the risk of extradition and international prosecution. Interpol refused to include the notice in the database. The client maintained legal integrity, protected their reputation, and avoided the risk of arrest.
Why won’t a standard lawyer handle an extradition case to the UAE?
Extradition in the United Arab Emirates is regulated not by a single law but by an entire system of sources. Each case requires an analysis of which category the request belongs to, which norms are applied, and whether the requesting country has an agreement with the UAE. For an unprepared lawyer, this turns into a labyrinth of legal conflicts, where one incorrect interpretation can lead to extradition without the possibility of appeal.
Most extradition procedures in the Emirates begin not with a direct request from another country, but with a notification from Interpol. Understanding the mechanisms of the General Secretariat, the CCF Commission, and channels of interaction with the National Central Bureau in Abu Dhabi is a separate specialization. A specialized lawyer is capable of:
- Check the legality of the notification in the Interpol database;
- Submit a petition for the suspension or removal of a Red Notice;
- Use this process as an argument for refusal of extradition.
A standard lawyer, unfamiliar with the international police system, often does not even know that this protection tool exists.
In extradition cases in the UAE, two branches of power are always involved: the judicial and the executive (Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs). After the court evaluates the legality of the request, the final decision still rests with the Minister of Justice, who can approve or reject the extradition for political, humanitarian, or diplomatic reasons. Only an experienced lawyer in international cases knows how to properly construct legal and diplomatic arguments to convince both sides. They must be able not only to defend in court but also to establish communication with consulates, international organizations, and local structures.
All documents submitted to UAE courts must be officially translated into Arabic, certified, and legalized. An error in translation or failure to follow the legalization procedure may result in the rejection of evidence. A specialized lawyer understands the nuances of Emirati procedural law:
- What documents must be provided in the original;
- Which authorities certify the authenticity of foreign acts;What evidence the court will accept and what it will reject.
This procedure seems formal, but it is precisely where lawyers without experience in extradition cases make mistakes.
International standards prohibit the extradition of individuals if there is a risk of torture or inhuman treatment, unfair trial, the application of the death penalty, or life imprisonment without the possibility of review. A specialized lawyer is capable not only of stating these risks but also of proving them with documentation: using medical reports, UN reports, decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, and conclusions from international NGOs. A standard lawyer without experience in such cases often limits themselves to general statements that carry no legal weight.
In extradition cases, time works against the client. The law provides strictly limited deadlines for filing objections, and often every hour counts. A specialized lawyer knows how to quickly gather evidence, request a postponement, appeal to the court, and prepare arguments to suspend extradition until a final decision is made. A regular lawyer, lacking experience with Interpol and international requests, simply won’t be able to respond in time.
Our team is your guarantee
In extradition cases, where every decision can change a person’s fate, not only legal qualification is important. First and foremost, time-tested and practical experience is crucial. Our team brings together international-level specialists who know how to act effectively even in the most complex situations.
Dr. Anatoly Yarovyi is an expert in international law and Interpol affairs, a recognized specialist with over 15 years of experience in protecting clients from extradition and wrongful notices. His unique approach combines deep knowledge of international agreements and strategic thinking. Under his leadership, more than 30 extradition cases have been successfully resolved, and over 15 Interpol red notices have been canceled. His name is known among professionals as an example of precise legal argumentation and the ability to achieve results even after years of refusals from international structures.
Dmitry Konovalenko is a lawyer specializing in international criminal cases and representing clients in UAE courts. He focuses on legal defense for individuals detained at the request of Interpol and foreign states. His strength lies in efficient work with Emirati courts and diplomatic agencies, as well as building a defense based on human rights and principles of international humanitarian law. Dmitry has repeatedly represented clients’ interests at all stages of extradition procedures, from the initial interrogation to appeals to the UAE Ministry of Justice.
The teamwork of these specialists is not just legal protection but a comprehensive strategy that includes legislative analysis, interaction with consulates, evidence collection, and monitoring compliance with international standards. Each case is considered individually, taking into account the client’s personal circumstances and the specifics of the jurisdiction of the requesting country.
We do not promise the impossible but achieve results using the law and experience. If you are facing extradition risk or an Interpol notice, you can be confident: our team is your guarantee of protection, confidentiality, and professionalism at every stage.
