Extradition

Extradition is a state-to-state procedure through which a person sought for prosecution or punishment is transferred to another state. It usually depends on a treaty, domestic law or reciprocity, and is limited by safeguards such as double criminality, speciality, human rights protection and bars on political persecution. Switzerland handles extradition through federal procedures and must reconcile international cooperation with constitutional and human-rights obligations. Requests may be refused or conditioned where there is a risk of torture, unfair trial or disproportionate punishment.