Madrid, May 9, 2025 – A team of lawyers specialized in extradition cases has secured another victory at the National Court by preventing the extradition of several Middle Eastern businessmen to the United States.

The case centered around the export of aeronautical equipment with alleged dual-use — both civil and military — to Russia, against a legal backdrop marked by international sanctions.

The defense was led by an extradition lawyer in Spain from Chabaneix Abogados Penalistas, a law firm recognized for its expertise in economic criminal law and complex international proceedings. Leveraging their deep understanding of cross-border legal frameworks, the legal team mounted a robust challenge to the U.S. extradition request.

U.S. authorities had sought extradition on smuggling charges, alleging that the businessmen exported, without the required license, inertial reference units — components used in commercial aircraft navigation systems, but also potentially deployable in military drones or missiles.

Exports, International Politics, and Criminal Law: A Delicate Intersection

Although the parts were intended for the civil sector, the requesting party invoked the sanctions regime imposed on Russia following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. However, they failed to provide concrete evidence proving a military purpose or the existence of a criminal organization behind the operation.

A Strong Appeal, A Firm Decision

In its initial ruling, the Third Section of the National Court left the door open to extradition. However, following an appeal filed by Chabaneix Abogados, the Full Bench of the Court overturned that decision in Order 70/2025, stating that the legal requirements to consider the acts as smuggling were not met. As a result, the extradition was denied, and the proceedings were closed.

This decision adds to a series of rulings that strengthen the firm’s reputation as one of Spain’s most effective extradition law specialists, with extensive experience in proceedings requested by the United States, China, and other countries with complex legal systems.

Experts in Defending Rights on the International Stage

Chabaneix Abogados Penalistas stands out not only for its legal expertise but also for its multilingual capabilities and adaptability to international legal environments. Since 2024, the team has been reinforced by the addition of Carlos Bautista, former prosecutor at the National Court and a leading authority in extradition matters, having led more than a thousand proceedings.

The firm has also recently halted two other extraditions requested by China, where claims of political persecution, arbitrary detention, and real risk of torture were raised. Both cases were resolved in favor of the defendants after a technically sound and well-documented defense.

With every case won, Chabaneix Abogados strengthens its position as one of the leading teams of extradition law experts, capable of operating effectively before the most demanding courts and defending clients’ rights against international powers.