Spanish Court Blocks Extradition of Moroccan Human Trafficking Suspect

The extradition procedure was initiated on April 21 by the court in Reus (Tarragona), after the arrest by Interpol of the Moroccan who was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by Morocco. During his appearance on July 1, the accused, represented by lawyer Nabil El Meknassi Barnosi, stated that he had not given his consent to the extradition. A position he reiterated at the extradition hearing on September 7 at the National Court, reports Diario de Almeria.

The accused is presumed to be the author in Morocco of a crime of migrant trafficking, belonging to a criminal organization and fraud. In Spain, these acts constitute an offense against the rights of foreign citizens. But before ruling on the admissibility of the extradition request, the Spanish judge wanted to ensure the "existence of a judgment of necessity by the requesting country", in accordance with a jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court which requires "extreme precautions" in order to avoid any violation of the fundamental rights of the party concerned.

"For all these reasons, and noting the absence of the judgment of necessity by Morocco which has issued an international arrest warrant against the accused, it is not possible to grant the extradition of the latter," concluded the Spanish judge.