International cases
When a criminal case crosses borders
Some cases are not only Spanish: another country wants someone handed over, an Interpol alert surfaces at an airport, or a person has proceedings in two countries at once. These cases move fast, are decided in Madrid and depend on rules that very few lawyers handle every day. These pages explain them in plain English.
Saúl Rosell Manglano · Criminal defence lawyer · Madrid · ICAM 83.198
- Italy73
- Peru72
- Morocco72
- France72
- Germany68
- Poland50
- United States41
- Belgium39
- Romania39
- Colombia37
- United Kingdom31
- Ukraine30
- Venezuela29
- Brazil23
- Switzerland17
Decisions of the National Court on European Arrest Warrants and extradition requests that I have reviewed, by requesting country, mostly from May 2025 to May 2026. Each country links to its own page.
Where to start
European Arrest Warrant and extradition
The basics: who decides, how fast it goes, and what happens in the first 72 hours.
Grounds for refusing surrender
When a Spanish court can or must say no, and when it can make surrender conditional.
The hearing in Madrid, step by step
From the first 72 hours to the decision and the appeal, for warrants and extradition.
Extradition outside the EU
Treaties, the 1985 Extradition Law, guarantees, Spanish nationals and the Government's last word.
Interpol Red Notice
What it is, what it is not, why it can lead to an arrest in Spain and how it can be challenged.
For lawyers outside Spain
Working together when your client has a criminal matter in Spain.
Your rights
Interpreter, translated documents, lawyer of your choice and consulate, in any Spanish criminal case.
Spain and the United Kingdom
Surrender after Brexit under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Spain and the United States
The 1970 treaty, life sentences, and when Spanish nationality matters.
Spain and Morocco
The 2009 extradition convention and why so many requests fail on the facts.
Germany
European Arrest Warrants from Germany: residence in Spain, return to serve the sentence, and double criminality.
France
European Arrest Warrants from France: judgments in absence, the guarantee of a new trial, and custody.
Italy
European Arrest Warrants from Italy: trials in absence with a lawyer, health and serving the sentence in Spain.
Spain and Colombia
The 1892 treaty, judgments in absence, asylum and what the request must contain.
Spain and Peru
The 1989 treaty, prison overcrowding guarantees, and prescription under Spanish law.
Poland
Drug cases, old sentences, judgments in absence and serving the sentence in Spain.
Belgium
Thefts and drug cases, listed offences and surrender on condition of return.
Romania
Years of life in Spain, children and documents as the strongest defence.
Spain and Ukraine
International protection, political motives and minor facts under the 1957 Convention.
Spain and Venezuela
Political persecution, asylum, nationality and reciprocity under the 1989 treaty.
Spain and Brazil
80 days for the request, guarantees and partial surrender under the 1988 treaty.
Spain and Switzerland
Fraud cases, consent and what the Spanish court checks under the 1957 Convention.
Serving the sentence in your country
Transfers within the EU and under international treaties: who decides and how long it takes.
Sentences in several countries
Previous convictions abroad, maximum prison limits and time already served in another country.
Prison in Spain for foreigners
Grades, leave, parole in your country, and replacing the sentence with expulsion.
If your family lives abroad
Visits, calls, money, documents and how to help from another country.
Cross-border fraud
Online scams, money through your account, frozen accounts in the EU and which court decides.
Misappropriation and insolvency
Disputes with foreign companies, partners and directors that become criminal cases.
European Public Prosecutor (EPPO)
VAT fraud, EU funds and money laundering investigated by the EPPO in Spain.
Who decides in Spain
Every European Arrest Warrant and extradition request received by Spain is handled in Madrid by the National Court (Audiencia Nacional): first the Central Investigating Courts and, on appeal or in the extradition hearing, its Criminal Division. It does not matter whether the arrest took place in Madrid, Málaga or Ibiza.
Read more−
That is one reason I handle these cases from Madrid for clients arrested anywhere in Spain. The first appearance takes place within 72 hours, often by videolink, and what is said there matters.
What I look at first
The document that triggered the arrest (warrant, alert or request), the facts described in it, whether they are a crime in Spain, the penalty, the time that has passed, whether the person has already been tried for the same facts, and the person's ties to Spain: residence, work, children. Those details decide whether there is a real defence and which way to take it.
How we will understand each other
I work in Spanish. With my clients from abroad I use translation tools to read and answer messages, and we manage well that way. At the police station and in court the law gives you a free interpreter, and I make sure that right is respected. If you write to me in English, I will answer you.
Common questions
My relative was arrested in Spain because another country is looking for him. Is he going to be handed over automatically?
No. A Spanish judge must check the request and the legal grounds for refusing or conditioning the surrender. Many requests end in surrender, but some are refused or made conditional, and how the defence is handled from the first hearing affects the outcome.
Can I hire you if the arrest was outside Madrid?
Yes. These cases are decided by the National Court in Madrid wherever the arrest took place, so that is where I work on them.
Do you work with the lawyer in the other country?
Yes, and it is often decisive. Some defences need documents or information from the requesting country, and coordinating both sides early avoids contradictions.
Is it urgent?
Call me on 688 884 488. I answer the phone myself, at any hour.
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