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ARGA Saudi Arabia

Client B.

Extradition blocked. Fabricated narcotics charge.

Outcome
Extradition blocked
Jurisdiction
Russia
Duration
≈8 months

Situation

What happened

A Russian national, long resident in Western Europe, was detained on an extradition request from the Russian authorities: he had been charged in absentia with the possession and supply of narcotics. The charge arose several years after the client had left the country and bore obvious marks of fabrication — unreliable witness statements, procedural violations and the absence of any real evidentiary basis.

Key difficulties

  • The client was held in custody pending the decision on the extradition request
  • The charge rested on statements by individuals with criminal records and an interest in cooperating with the investigation
  • The fabricated character of the case had to be established to the standards of the host country
  • Strict procedural deadlines for the examination of the extradition request

Strategy and work

How ARGA worked

  1. 1

    Analysis of the request and the case file

    ARGA immediately obtained the full text of the extradition request and the underlying file. A detailed analysis exposed contradictions in the witness statements, breaches of procedural law and evidence that did not hold together.

  2. 2

    Preparing the objections

    A full submission was prepared for the court of the host country: the fabricated character of the case was set out, evidence of departures from fair-trial standards in Russia was presented, and the risks to the client's life and health in the event of surrender were documented.

  3. 3

    Coordination on the ground

    ARGA coordinated the work of the local team, supplying expert opinions on Russian enforcement practice under the relevant narcotics article, together with reports by international human rights organizations on the standards of Russian justice.

  4. 4

    Application for release

    Alongside the substantive position, applications were filed to vary the custodial measure: guarantees of appearance were offered, and the disproportionality of detention pending the extradition decision was set out.

  5. 5

    Decision of the court

    The court refused the extradition, finding the request inconsistent with European human rights standards. The client was released from custody and continues to live in Europe.

Outcome

Result

Extradition was refused. The client was released from custody, and the examination of his application for protected status resumed.

Matters of this kind are handled across the ARGA international network. The role of ARGA Saudi Arabia in such work is limited to assessment and coordination — where representation before a court, prosecutor or state authority is required, it is carried out by independently licensed counsel in the jurisdiction concerned. Named clients are published with their consent; all other matters are anonymized, and identifying detail is withheld.

Contact

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