Does Georgia extradite? Extradition lawyer in Tbilisi
If another country asks for your extradition, the first days decide everything — the deadlines are 7 and 10 days. We defend people in extradition cases in Georgia from the moment of arrest to the Supreme Court and the Minister's decision — in English, Russian and Georgian.
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- Georgian · English · Russian
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- Courts of all instances
A Georgian citizen cannot be handed over to another state except where an international treaty provides for it (Constitution, Article 32). A foreigner can be extradited if the act is a crime in both countries and carries at least 1 year in prison (Law on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters, Article 18).
A court first rules on whether extradition is allowed; the final decision is made by the Minister of Justice. Georgia does extradite in some cases, including to Russia — every case is decided on its own facts, so the defence must start on day one.
Steps and deadlines
| Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Arrest | Within 48 hours the prosecutor asks a magistrate judge for a preventive measure |
| Appealing detention | Within 7 days to the Court of Appeals; decision within 5 days |
| Extradition detention | 3 months, extendable by 3 months twice — 9 months at most; bail is possible |
| Court ruling on whether extradition is allowed | City court, hearing within 7 days; appeal to the Supreme Court within 7 days |
| Final decision | The Minister of Justice — who can still refuse on humanitarian grounds |
| Asylum application | Within 10 calendar days of being informed; decided within 1 month |
When extradition is refused
- Political or military offences (Articles 19 and 20)
- Persecution because of race, nationality, religion or political views
- A real risk of torture or inhuman treatment
- The death penalty in the requesting state
- A conviction in absentia without a guaranteed retrial
- Limitation period, amnesty or pardon
- A Georgian decision already exists on the same act
- Asylum or international protection in Georgia
- Humanitarian reasons — being a minor, health
Treaties
Georgia is a party to the European Convention on Extradition, as are the UK, Ukraine and Russia; with Belarus and Kazakhstan the 1993 Minsk Convention applies. For a state with no treaty, such as the US, extradition needs a separate agreement for the individual case.
Simplified extradition — be careful
If you consent to being handed over, it happens within weeks, consent cannot be withdrawn, and you lose the protection that limits prosecution to the offences in the request. Talk to a lawyer before you consent.
Our services
- Defence at the extradition arrest and detention hearing
- Appeals to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court
- Arguing the grounds for refusal — political persecution, risk of torture
- Filing for asylum within the deadline
- Submissions to the Minister of Justice
- Defence in English, Russian and Georgian
Questions & answers
Does Georgia extradite to the US?
There is no extradition treaty in force between Georgia and the US that we know of; extradition then needs a separate agreement for the individual case, and every refusal ground still applies. Georgian citizens are not extradited.
Does Georgia extradite to the UK?
Yes, it can — both are parties to the European Convention on Extradition. A court reviews each request, and the grounds for refusal apply.
Is Georgia a non-extradition country?
No. Georgia does extradite foreigners in some cases, including to Russia; only its own citizens are protected. Each case turns on the treaty, the charge and the refusal grounds.
How long can I be held pending extradition?
Up to 9 months in total — 3 months, extendable twice. Bail or another milder measure is possible.
Legal basis
- Law on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters
- Constitution of Georgia
- Law on International Protection
- Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Other practice areas
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