Uruguay

The case concerns extradition proceedings between the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the Argentine Republic. The Court of Appeals reviewed a decision granting the extradition request issued by Argentine judicial authorities.The Court held that extradition constitutes the highest expression of international legal cooperation and that extradition treaties must be interpreted in a manner that promotes their purpose of ensuring effective cooperation in the administration of justice.The Court determined that, under the applicable extradition framework, Uruguay follows the Belgian-Dutch (continental European) system of extradition review. Under this approach, the requested State’s examination is limited to a formal assessment of the extradition request. The requested court must verify, among other requirements, that the requesting State has jurisdiction, that the submitted documentation complies with the applicable formalities, that the relevant legal provisions and judicial decisions have been provided, that the identity of the requested person has been established, and that the request does not violate fundamental extradition principles.The Court emphasized that the requested State is not entitled to examine the merits of the criminal case, assess the sufficiency or strength of the evidence, or determine the guilt or innocence of the requested person, as those matters fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the requesting State.In the case at hand, the Court concluded that the extradition request complied with the requirements established in the Extradition Treaty between Uruguay and Argentina, including jurisdiction of the requesting authorities, dual criminality, and the absence of grounds preventing extradition. The Court further found that the alleged risks invoked did not constitute a sufficient basis to deny extradition.Accordingly, the Court confirmed the decision granting extradition.