HomeExtradition from Dubai to Russia
The interaction between the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation in the field of extradition has recently acquired particular urgency and complexity. The UAE, having established itself as a global financial and business hub, has become a point of attraction for Russian capital and citizens, which has inevitably led to an increase in the number of extradition requests from Russian law enforcement agencies. These requests cover a wide range of accusations, from traditional criminal offenses to complex cases in the fields of economics and cybersecurity. The extradition procedure in the Emirates is not a formal act but a complex legal process, where the decision to transfer an individual to a foreign state is made after thorough judicial analysis and political assessment.
Every request from Moscow passes through a strict system of filters established by UAE legislation and international agreements. The courts of the Emirates thoroughly examine the submitted materials, weigh the legal arguments of the parties, and assess potential risks for the requested individual. Geopolitical shifts and changes in the international context also leave their mark, making the outcome of each case less predictable. In these conditions, for a person facing the threat of extradition, the key factor for success is not passive waiting but proactive, professionally structured legal defense initiated from the very first moments after the threat arises.
The absence of a direct extradition agreement
One of the fundamental features of extradition relations between Russia and the UAE is the absence of a direct bilateral extradition treaty. This fact fundamentally distinguishes the situation from the Emirates’ interaction with countries such as India or Pakistan and introduces an element of uncertainty into the process. Instead of a clearly defined agreement, the parties are forced to rely on multilateral international conventions, of which they are both participants.
The main legal instruments in this case are:
- The UN Convention against Corruption. This document obliges the countries that have signed it to cooperate on the extradition of individuals accused of corruption-related crimes, such as bribery, embezzlement of budget funds, and money laundering.
- The UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It establishes a legal framework for extradition for a wide range of serious crimes committed within organized criminal groups.
In addition to these conventions, interaction is built on the general principle of international reciprocity. The UAE authorities may satisfy Russia’s request, counting on a similar approach from its side in the future. However, the absence of an agreement means that each case is considered individually, and the UAE has greater discretion in making decisions. This creates both risks and opportunities for protection. On one hand, the procedure is less standardized. On the other hand, lawyers have more room for maneuver and argumentation based on general principles of law and humanitarian norms.
The extradition procedure: from request to final decision
Despite the absence of a bilateral agreement, the extradition procedure in the UAE is governed by a clear internal regulation established by Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on International Judicial Cooperation. This law defines the steps that must be taken from the moment a request is received until the actual transfer of the individual.
The process begins with the receipt of an official request from the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation to the Ministry of Justice of the UAE through diplomatic channels. The request must be translated into Arabic and contain comprehensive information. If the individual is already on the territory of the Emirates, they may be detained based on an Interpol “red notice” even before the official documents are received.
The further course of the case looks as follows:
- Preliminary review in the prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor checks the formal side of the request: the presence of all necessary documents, the correctness of their preparation and translation. At this stage, requests with obvious defects are filtered out. The detained person is informed of their rights, including the right to an attorney.
- A court hearing in the Court of Appeal. This is a key stage where the issue of the legal admissibility of extradition is decided. The court does not determine the guilt of the individual but examines whether there are legal grounds for their extradition. During the sessions, judges analyze whether the alleged act falls under the scope of international conventions, whether the principle of double criminality has been observed (whether the act is recognized as a crime in the UAE), and whether there are grounds for refusal. The defense has full rights to present its evidence, call witnesses, and challenge the arguments of the requesting party.
- The possibility of appeal in the Cassation Court. In the event that the Appellate Court issues a decision on the possibility of extradition, the defense has 30 days to file an appeal to the highest judicial authority — the Cassation Court. It reviews the correctness of the application of legal norms by the lower court and does not reconsider factual circumstances. Its decision on the legal aspect of the matter is final.
- The political decision of the Minister of Justice. The final authorization for extradition is issued by the Minister of Justice. Even with a positive verdict from all courts, he can veto the extradition if it contradicts the higher interests, sovereignty, or public order of the UAE. This stage represents the last line of defense.
Grounds for refusal of extradition
The legislation of the UAE and international norms provide an extensive list of grounds on which extradition to Russia may and should be refused. The success of the defense directly depends on the ability of lawyers to identify and prove the existence of at least one of these grounds.
These defense mechanisms can be classified into several groups.
Violation of the principle of double criminality
The act for which extradition is requested must be criminally punishable both in Russia and in the UAE. This is especially relevant for economic offenses. For example, certain actions that in the Russian Federation may be qualified as fraud in the entrepreneurial sphere, in the UAE may be considered as an ordinary commercial dispute not entailing criminal liability.
Political motivation of prosecution
Extradition is not allowed if the request has a political undertone. The defense must prove that the criminal case was initiated not for the purpose of justice, but to persecute a person for their political beliefs, public activities, or as part of unfair competitive practices using administrative resources.
The threat to fundamental human rights
This is one of the most compelling grounds. If there are serious reasons to believe that in Russia the extradited person may face torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, or if they will not be guaranteed the right to a fair trial, UAE courts will refuse extradition. Reports from international human rights organizations, decisions of the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights), and evidence about the state of the penitentiary system can be used as proof.
Procedural obstacles
These include the expiration of the statute of limitations under UAE laws, the existence of a previously rendered verdict for the same act (the principle of non bis in idem), as well as requests based on verdicts issued in absentia without providing the person the opportunity to defend themselves.
The specifics of requests from Russia: economy and cybercrime
Analysis of practice shows that the majority of extradition requests from Russia to the UAE are related to accusations of committing economic crimes. These include fraud on an especially large scale, embezzlement or misappropriation, deliberate bankruptcy, and money laundering. Often, such cases arise against the backdrop of corporate conflicts, where one party uses criminal prosecution as a tool to pressure an opponent located abroad.
In recent years, there has also been an increase in requests related to cybercrime. Accusations of hacking attacks, creating malicious software, data theft, and online fraud are becoming more frequent. The UAE, developing its own digital economy, takes such threats seriously but requires the requesting party to provide substantial technical evidence rather than general accusations.
Delay deprives you of chances for protection – seek help today
The threat of extradition is a critical situation that does not tolerate delays. From the moment of detention or even the appearance of the first information about a possible request, it is necessary to act decisively and professionally. Attempts to resolve the issue informally or rely on promises from random intermediaries can lead to the loss of valuable time and worsen the situation. The legal system of the UAE is complex, and without a deep understanding of local legislation and judicial practice, it is impossible to effectively defend your rights.
If you or your loved ones are under the threat of extradition from the UAE to Russia, your first and most important step is to contact a team of lawyers with proven experience in handling such cases. Qualified legal assistance will allow:
- Immediately intervene in the situation at any stage, providing legal support from the moment of detention.
- Conduct a legal audit of the request to determine its compliance with international conventions and UAE legislation, identifying grounds for refusal.
- Build a comprehensive defense strategy, including the collection of evidence of political motivation in the case or the presence of threats to human rights.
- Represent your interests in all instances — from the prosecutor’s office to the Cassation Court and the Ministry of Justice, using all available legal tools.
- Organize the contestation of the Interpol red notice, seeking its removal from the databases.
Do not let circumstances decide your fate. Contact our lawyers immediately for a confidential consultation. We are ready to apply all our experience and knowledge to protect your rights and freedom in the complex extradition process between the UAE and Russia. Your future is worth fighting for professionally.
