Extradition is a legal process where one jurisdiction surrenders an individual accused or convicted of a crime to another jurisdiction for prosecution or punishment. The specific offenses that trigger this process are determined by treaties and agreements between the involved jurisdictions. Generally, these are serious crimes, often felonies, that carry a substantial penalty, such as imprisonment for a year or more. As an illustration, acts like murder, drug trafficking, fraud involving significant sums, and terrorism are frequently grounds for extradition.
The significance of the extradition process lies in ensuring that individuals do not evade justice by fleeing to another country. It fosters international cooperation in combating crime and upholding the rule of law across borders. Historically, extradition practices have evolved as global travel and international crime have increased, leading to more complex and nuanced agreements between nations. The presence of such agreements promotes stability and security by deterring cross-border criminal activity.