International cases · Brazil
Wanted by Brazil and arrested in Spain
Brazilian requests follow the 1988 extradition treaty between Spain and Brazil, which gives Brazil 80 days to send the formal request after an urgent arrest. Many concern drug trafficking and money laundering, and the defence often obtains guarantees or a partial surrender.
Saúl Rosell Manglano · Criminal defence lawyer · Madrid · ICAM 83.198
What the decisions show
80 days
Time for Brazil to send the formal request after an urgent arrest, under the treaty.
New trial
A judgment given in absence while the person was in custody in Spain required a guarantee of a new trial.
Partial
Charges without described facts, or already tried in Spain, were excluded from the surrender.
- Surrender granted15 79%
- With conditions4 21%
- Refused0 0%
Decisions on the merits of the National Court on requests from this country that I have reviewed (2025–2026, 19 decisions). One case can produce more than one decision. Conditions, such as returning to Spain to serve the sentence or guarantees on prison conditions, are usually obtained by the defence.
Guarantees the court has required
The National Court has made surrender to Brazil conditional on written guarantees: that the death penalty or a life sentence without review will not be applied, that prison conditions meet international standards, and, when the person was convicted in absence while in custody in Spain, that there will be a new trial with full guarantees.
Only what is properly described
When the request lists offences but describes no facts for some of them, surrender is limited to the ones that are described, and the speciality rule prevents prosecution for the rest. Facts already tried in Spain are also excluded.
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
I was arrested on an Interpol alert from Brazil. How long can I be held?
Brazil has 80 days from the urgent arrest to send the formal request. Throughout that time you can ask for release with conditions if you have roots in Spain.
I was convicted in Brazil without being there. Can that stop the extradition?
It can make it conditional on a new trial, especially if you could not attend because you were in custody or were not properly summoned.
Is it urgent?
Call me on 688 884 488. I answer the phone myself, at any hour.
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