A local lawyer is ideal for international criminal proceedings

A local lawyer is ideal for international criminal proceedings

With travel so widespread, it’s not surprising to see that crime can also cross borders; criminal law is becoming more and more international every day. The actions that are taken by someone in one country could become the subject of an investigation in another. In the worst cases, this can lead the investigation to an Interpol red notice or an extradition request.

Individuals or businesses can end up finding themselves as the subject of unexpected inquiries and requests from investigations from other countries and jurisdictions. Attempts can be made to compel testimony for proceedings in other countries, or even the extradition of a said individual may be sought. Criminal offenses, such as corruption, war crimes, and associated allegations can be prosecuted in a country that has no connection to the location where the offenses supposedly took place.

Because of this, it’s important to have people like Luis Chabaneix, a Spanish Criminal Lawyer, that will fight your corner when it comes to international criminal proceedings.

Why choose a local lawyer?

Local lawyers will understand the ins and outs of international criminal law, regardless of where they are based. They will be able to work on extradition, mutual legal assistance requests, and international investigations into offenses, like corruption, cartels, fraud, and money laundering.

To start with, the way an individual or business responds to a request from another country’s jurisdiction can have profound consequences. That’s why, understanding the options that are available to you from the beginning, is essential in achieving the best outcome.

Examples of success stories in international criminal proceedings

Success in criminal law can mean free absolution after the trial, obtaining provisional liberty with or without bail before trial, dismissal of the case during the investigation process, the best negotiations with the Public Prosecutor, obtaining annulments of the procedure. That’s why working with a local lawyer is so ideal. Here are just one of the many success stories.

Komi Koutché

Mr Komi Koutché was the former minister of economy and finance of the Republic of Benin. Whilst in Spain, he was subject to investigation from his former country and was issued with an extradition request. The request was made by the authorities of the Republic of Benin for the crimes of embezzlement of public funds, influence peddling, and money laundering, among others.

By working with Chabaneix Criminal Lawyers, Mr Koutché was granted provisional release and, following a hearing at the Audiencia Nacional, extradition was refused on the following grounds:

• The facts reported did not constitute a crime in Spain, so the principle of double incrimination is not complied with.

• The order issued by the Benin authorities was fraudulent because it was issued when Komi Koutché was unable to attend the summons.

• The court set up to try the case is an exceptional political court appointed by the executive branch to prosecute opponents.

• There are documented cases of reprisals against opponents of the Regime and the extradition was intended to politically annul the main leader of the opposition, Komi Koutché.

Luis Chabaneix and his team of Chabaneix Lawyers demonstrated in an absolutely convincing manner all these points, which were included in the judicial resolution denying extradition.

Extradition to Algeria case

One of Chabaneix Lawyers’ clients was arrested on the basis of an extradition request to Algeria. In this instance, he was accused of being part of a corruption plot in the construction of the East-West Highway; the biggest political-financial scandal of the last decade in the country.

By working with Cabaneix Lawyers, the client was able to oppose this extradition. The team of lawyers noticed that the arrest warrant issued for his prosecution did not specify at what time, or what exactly, their client’s conduct had taken place. They also saw that when Algeria sent the extrajudicial documents, not only did they continue to fail to specify these fundamental elements, but a sentence was handed down which, without explaining the facts, had sentenced the client in absentia to twenty years in prison.

As a defense, Luis Chabaneixand his team of local lawyers highlighted the obvious lack of determination of the criminal conduct of which their client was accused. Despite the persistent insistence of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Audiencia Nacional granted Chabaneix Lawyers’ request to reject the request for extradition to Algeria, precisely because of the formal errors that they highlighted.

Chabaneix Lawyers are experts in international criminal proceedings

Chabaneix are committed to the best interest of all their clients that are involved in any offense under the Criminal Code. They specialise in:

• Offenses against public health (drug trafficking)

• Offenses against property (theft, fraud, embezzlement, etc.)

• Offenses against persons (injury, homicide, murder, etc.)

• Business and corporate criminal law

If you or your business is in need of assistance with any of the above, you can get in touch with Chabaneix Lawyers for a free consultation. Their attorneys will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the best legal representation possible!

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes