{"id":1804,"date":"2024-09-13T14:04:32","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T11:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/?p=1804"},"modified":"2026-11-13T22:50:42","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T20:50:42","slug":"%d0%b7%d0%b0%d1%87%d0%b5%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%bb%d0%b8-%d1%81%d0%bb%d1%83%d1%87%d0%b0%d0%b8-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%b5%d0%b2%d1%80%d0%be%d0%bf%d0%b5%d0%b9%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b0-%d0%b7%d0%b0%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/%d0%b7%d0%b0%d1%87%d0%b5%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%bb%d0%b8-%d1%81%d0%bb%d1%83%d1%87%d0%b0%d0%b8-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%b5%d0%b2%d1%80%d0%be%d0%bf%d0%b5%d0%b9%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b0-%d0%b7%d0%b0%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b2\/","title":{"rendered":"European arrest warrants: a rise in cases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bulgaria has received European arrest warrants (EAWs) in a number of cases. In the years covered by this article, requests came from several EU countries. In one operation in Bulgaria alone, arrest warrants were issued for 15 Bulgarian nationals in connection with call centres.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors in European countries submit applications, and judges in those countries regularly issue EAWs. Some cases concern human trafficking, participation in organised criminal groups or other serious offences, such as drug distribution or financial fraud.<\/p>\n

In the same period, several EU countries made significant legislative changes to facilitate the issuing and execution of these warrants.<\/p>\n

Before the introduction of the EAW, extradition procedures in Bulgaria were based mainly on international treaties and the principle of reciprocity between states. The main stages were as follows:<\/p>\n

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  1. Extradition request:<\/strong> The state seeking extradition sent a formal request to the Bulgarian authorities. It usually did so through official channels and provided details of the offence with which the person was charged.<\/li>\n
  2. Court proceedings:<\/strong> The Bulgarian court examined the case and checked whether the conditions for extradition were met. These included the existence of a corresponding offence under Bulgarian law and evidence that the person would not face political persecution or inhuman treatment in the requesting state.<\/li>\n
  3. Objections and defence:<\/strong> The accused could object to extradition and present evidence of innocence or of a political motive behind the request. The person could be detained or placed under house arrest pending a final decision.<\/li>\n
  4. Court decision:<\/strong> The Bulgarian court decided whether to extradite the person. If it granted the request, authorisation followed.<\/li>\n
  5. Appeal:<\/strong> The first-instance decision could be appealed, so a higher court could issue the final ruling.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Under that extradition regime, extradition did not take place in certain cases, for example where the person was a Bulgarian citizen or the offence for which the person was sought was political.<\/p>\n

    The introduction of the EAW in the EU in 2004 simplified the surrender of suspects between Member States by removing some of the more complex extradition procedures and requirements.<\/p>\n

    This article does not constitute a legal opinion or legal advice concerning any particular situation or person. For assistance with a European arrest warrant or any other matter involving criminal law or detention, consult a lawyer who practises criminal law.
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