Being arrested under a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) or facing an extradition request can happen with little warning, often in a country where the person has no legal representation lined up. That is exactly the kind of case our criminal defence team works on, which is why Fukuro Legal took part in the 2026 Seminar on International Extradition and the European Arrest Warrant, held in Sarnico, Italy.
Why we attended
Our criminal lawyer David Pastrana represented Fukuro Legal at this year's edition, joining practitioners and academics from across Europe and beyond. Extradition law sits at the intersection of criminal procedure, human rights safeguards, and cross-border cooperation, so staying current with how different jurisdictions apply these rules is essential for anyone defending clients in this field.
Sessions covered how EAWs operate in practice between EU member states, the use of Interpol Red Notices as an investigative and enforcement tool, and how extradition frameworks function in non-EU jurisdictions. These are precisely the scenarios our clients, usually foreign nationals with connections to Spain, can find themselves navigating.
What the European Arrest Warrant means in practice
The EAW is a judicial decision issued by one EU member state requesting that another member state arrest and surrender a person for prosecution or to serve a sentence. Compared to traditional extradition, it is designed to be faster and more streamlined between EU countries, but it still involves strict procedural safeguards: the right to a lawyer, the right to be heard, and specific grounds on which a national court can refuse surrender.
For someone contacted by Spanish authorities, or arrested in another country because of proceedings in Spain, understanding these safeguards early on can make a real difference to the outcome.
Why specialised representation matters
International extradition and EAW cases are not typical domestic criminal matters. They usually involve:
- Coordination between lawyers in two or more jurisdictions.
- Strict, often very short, procedural deadlines.
- Arguments specific to extradition law, separate from the merits of the underlying accusation.
- An understanding of both the requesting and the executing state's legal framework.
Getting the right advice from the outset, ideally before any hearing takes place, is one of the clearest ways to protect a client's rights in these situations.
Looking ahead
Events like this one help us keep building relationships with lawyers and academics working on extradition matters in other countries, which is valuable whenever a case requires coordinating with counsel abroad. We are grateful to the organisers for another well-run seminar and look forward to the next edition.
If you or someone you know is facing an EAW or extradition request connected to Spain, our International Criminal Defence team can advise on the options available. Get in touch with Fukuro Legal to discuss your situation.
