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EUR-Lex - 32002F0584 - EN

Article 3

Grounds for mandatory non-execution of the European arrest warrant

The judicial authority of the Member State of execution (hereinafter "executing judicial authority") shall refuse to execute the European arrest warrant in the following cases:

...

2. if the executing judicial authority is informed that the requested person has been finally judged by a Member State in respect of the same acts provided that, where there has been sentence, the sentence has been served or is currently being served or may no longer be executed under the law of the sentencing Member State

Article 4

Grounds for optional non-execution of the European arrest warrant

The executing judicial authority may refuse to execute the European arrest warrant:

1. if, in one of the cases referred to in Article 2(4), the act on which the European arrest warrant is based does not constitute an offence under the law of the executing Member State; however, in relation to taxes or duties, customs and exchange, execution of the European arrest warrant shall not be refused on the ground that the law of the executing Member State does not impose the same kind of tax or duty or does not contain the same type of rules as regards taxes, duties and customs and exchange regulations as the law of the issuing Member State;

2. where the person who is the subject of the European arrest warrant is being prosecuted in the executing Member State for the same act as that on which the European arrest warrant is based;

3. where the judicial authorities of the executing Member State have decided either not to prosecute for the offence on which the European arrest warrant is based or to halt proceedings, or where a final judgment has been passed upon the requested person in a Member State, in respect of the same acts, which prevents further proceedings;

...

5. if the executing judicial authority is informed that the requested person has been finally judged by a third State in respect of the same acts provided that, where there has been sentence, the sentence has been served or is currently being served or may no longer be executed under the law of the sentencing country;

...

7. where the European arrest warrant relates to offences which:

(a) are regarded by the law of the executing Member State as having been committed in whole or in part in the territory of the executing Member State or in a place treated as such; or

(b) have been committed outside the territory of the issuing Member State and the law of the executing Member State does not allow prosecution for the same offences when committed outside its territory.



*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Thu Dec 3rd, 2009 at 06:03:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I see this wasn't commented.

From the word choice of the German federal justice ministry ("zwingendes Bewilligungshindernis" = mandatory obstacle to approval), it seems Article 3, point 2 applied.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Thu Dec 3rd, 2009 at 06:50:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I would be curious how the 2007 decision was commented in Spain. It appears at least that the case died in 2007.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Thu Dec 3rd, 2009 at 06:51:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]
This strikes me as a large loophole. A person could commit crimes in another state with tacit approval by their own state.

3. where the judicial authorities of the executing Member State have decided either not to prosecute for the offence on which the European arrest warrant is based or to halt proceedings

However the no double jeopardy is good, but I hope "final judgment" aren't weasel words. I would expect a "final judgment" to be a court decision.

or where a final judgment has been passed upon the requested person in a Member State, in respect of the same acts, which prevents further proceedings;
by Magnifico on Thu Dec 3rd, 2009 at 06:53:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]
3. where the judicial authorities of the executing Member State have decided either not to prosecute for the offence on which the European arrest warrant is based or to halt proceedings

This is about dead laws and toleration, like blasphemy or use of light drugs. (I note that the EAW is controversial for over-use in drug cases, including light drugs.) No European judicial authorities have decided that the crime of joining a terrorist organisation shall be non-punishable.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Thu Dec 3rd, 2009 at 06:58:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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