Bars to Extradition — A Systematic Overview

System

Bars to extradition (Auslieferungshindernisse) are grounds that stand in the way of an extradition and render it inadmissible. The Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht, OLG) examines them ex officio in the admissibility proceedings.

Statutory bars (IRG)

Lack of dual criminality (Section 3 IRG, exception: the 32 EAW list offenses), political offense (Section 6(1)), political persecution (Section 6(2)), military offense (Section 7), the death penalty without an assurance (Section 8), concurrent jurisdiction (Section 9), lack of reciprocity (Section 5), double jeopardy (ne bis in idem), and the statute of limitations.

Constitutional bars

Article 16(2) of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz, GG) (protection of German nationals), Article 1(1) / 2(2) GG (human dignity, physical integrity), Section 73 IRG (ordre public).

Human-rights bars

Article 3 ECHR / Article 4 of the EU Charter (prohibition of torture, detention conditions), Article 6 ECHR / Article 47 of the EU Charter (fair trial), judgment in absentia (Section 83 (1) no. 3 IRG), systemic rule-of-law deficiencies (CJEU LM, C-216/18 PPU, applying the two-step test established in Aranyosi).

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