Italy is one of the busiest destinations from Ben Gurion Airport, and it is also a country that issues international arrest warrants against Israelis, in fraud, forex and drug cases and in family matters. A person facing an Italian warrant does not have to be in Italy to be arrested, because within the European Union the warrant can be executed in any Member State. This page explains what an Italian arrest warrant means, how extradition works, and what can already be done once you learn of the warrant.
Representation where Italy seeks arrest or extradition
I have practised criminal law, extradition and international crime since 1998, and I serve as Chairman of the Extradition and International Crime Committee of the Israel Bar Association. In proceedings conducted in Italy, representation in court is by an Italian lawyer. Our firm manages the strategy, the relationship with the client and the Israeli side of the case, and in many cases also the proceedings in the country where the client was arrested.
In June 2026 I was invited to the ninth edition of the international seminar on extradition and the European Arrest Warrant, held at Lake Iseo in northern Italy, and I wrote in Maariv (in Hebrew) about the changes in extradition law that were discussed there.
A case from our firm: an Italian arrest warrant in an international affair
I represented an Israeli businessman against whom the Italian authorities issued an arrest warrant on suspicion that he helped move a child from Italy to Israel, in an affair that was widely covered in Israel and around the world. Before any arrest, I approached the Israel Police on his behalf and asked that he be allowed to give a statement in Israel refuting the Italian authorities’ allegations, and I announced that we would take legal action to have the warrant cancelled (mako, in Hebrew). He was later arrested in Cyprus at Italy’s request.
The case illustrates two points. First, an Italian warrant is enforced outside Italy as well, and within the European Union by a particularly fast route. Second, an early approach to the authorities, in Israel and in the requesting state, is part of the defence itself and goes beyond reacting to an arrest.
The European Arrest Warrant: why it is faster than ordinary extradition
Italy, like every EU Member State, uses the European Arrest Warrant, which it implemented in a law from 2005. Between Member States, surrender is a fast judicial procedure without the government decision stage of ordinary extradition. An Israeli who lives in or travels to Cyprus, Greece, Spain or any other EU country and is subject to an Italian warrant may therefore be surrendered to Italy within weeks. The same Italian warrant has very different consequences depending on where the person is found: a fast judicial surrender inside the European Union, and an ordinary extradition process, ending with a government decision, in Israel.
The European Arrest Warrant does not apply to Israel itself. An Italian request to extradite someone from Israel proceeds under the European Convention on Extradition, which Italy joined in 1963 and Israel in 1967. It is examined by the Jerusalem District Court, with an appeal to the Supreme Court, and the final decision rests with the Minister of Justice. An Israeli citizen and resident is extradited only on condition that he or she is returned to serve any prison sentence imposed in Israel. The Israeli procedure is described in more detail on our page on extradition to and from Israel.
An Israeli arrested in Italy
When Italy is asked to extradite a person, the request is examined by a court of appeal, with a further appeal to the Italian Supreme Court, and the Minister of Justice decides at the end. An Israeli arrested in Italy on a request from Israel or from another country can argue against extradition and apply for conditional release. A person arrested on suspicion of an offence committed in Italy, for example in a drug or fraud case, will be tried under Italian law. In either situation, local counsel is needed from the first day.
What our representation covers
- Review of the Italian arrest warrant, the INTERPOL notice and the status of the case in Italy
- Work with an Italian criminal defence lawyer, and with lawyers in the country where the arrest took place
- An early approach to the authorities in Israel and in Italy, where this serves the defence
- Representation on an Italian extradition request before the court in Jerusalem and the Supreme Court
- Applications for conditional release and handling of bans on leaving Israel
- Advice before travel to EU countries for anyone who fears there may be a warrant against them
Why early action matters
The right moment to act is when you learn of the warrant, rather than after an arrest. At that stage it is still possible to choose where to be, to examine the warrant and to approach the authorities. After an arrest in an EU country, the time available is very short. Our firm can be reached 24/7 on +972-3-6969080.
Frequently asked questions
Italy has issued an arrest warrant against me. Can I be arrested outside Italy?
Yes. Within the European Union the warrant is executed as a European Arrest Warrant, with fast surrender. Outside the EU it can be enforced through an INTERPOL notice and an extradition request.
Does Israel extradite to Italy?
Yes, under the European Convention on Extradition. The request is examined by the Jerusalem District Court, and an Israeli citizen and resident is extradited on condition of being returned to serve any prison sentence in Israel.
Does the European Arrest Warrant apply to Israel?
No. It operates only between EU Member States. A request from Italy to Israel goes through ordinary extradition proceedings.
What should I do if I learn of an Italian warrant before any arrest?
Have the warrant and the status of the case checked, do not travel to EU countries without advice, and consider an early approach to the authorities in Israel and in Italy.
Who represents me before a court in Italy?
An Italian lawyer. We manage the strategy and the Israeli and international sides of the case, and work together with them.
Official legal sources
- Constitution of the Italian Republic, Article 26 (English text)
- European Convention on Extradition, 1957
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice based on the facts of a particular case. A Hebrew version of this page is available at עורך דין פלילי באיטליה.
