Expert defense in international extradition proceedings for businessmen, senior executives and high-profile ex-officials.
We protect your freedom against international arrest warrants in Spain thanks to the solid experience of our team, our legal knowledge and our direct presence from our offices in Madrid, as well as our headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela; and the permanent collaboration with Ultra firms specializing in fifteen strategic jurisdictions —Switzerland, Portugal, Andorra, France, United Kingdom, Colombia, Panama, Dominican Republic, United States, Belgium, Angola, Dubai, Mozambique, Singapore and other strategic locations—.
Our mission is to defend the Spanish tradition of protecting freedom and fundamental rights in international proceedings.
When a State requests the surrender of a person in Spain, we intervene to ensure that the surrender is denied and that his or her personal, professional and financial reputation remains intact.
Our clients - executives of major corporations, former governors, senior public officials and particularly exposed individuals - rely on our elite legal services to protect their freedom and their legacy.
Immediate attention from a senior specialized attorney – 24/7 urgent care hotline. Call or text the number:
Confidential and secure communication via WhatsApp in any language – always available.
Urgent, confidential and secure contact.
Are the courts being used as a tool of pressure against you? That has a name and a defense.
If you are a businessperson, executive, high-ranking official, or public figure and are experiencing any of these situations, you may be facing a case of judicial instrumentalization:
- A criminal investigation was opened against them, which lacks a real or proportionate factual basis.
- His bank accounts or assets were frozen without a final judgment and without a reasonable prospect of trial.
- An INTERPOL Red Notice with your name has appeared, and you cannot travel or operate freely.
- A competitor or adversary with political or institutional connections is using the judicial system to neutralize you.
- Faces an extradition request originating from a country where judicial independence guarantees are questionable.
- Parallel procedures—criminal, administrative, civil—have multiplied, producing cumulative pressure without any of them progressing towards an effective trial.
Lawfare is a term used to describe the use of legal processes as a weapon of war or political conflict. It involves using the legal system to achieve strategic objectives, such as discrediting opponents, delaying or disrupting their activities, or influencing public opinion.
The term lawfare formed by the words Law (law) and warfare (Warfare)— designates the strategic use of law and judicial procedures as instruments of pressure, neutralization, or coercion, in contexts where the real purpose of judicial action deviates from the impartial pursuit of justice.
Important: Lawfare does not constitute a formal legal category enshrined in international instruments. It is an analytical framework that allows for the identification of the coordinated instrumentalization of legitimate mechanisms for coercive purposes. The practices it encompasses—denial of justice, abuse of rights, procedural diversion, arbitrary detention, violation of adversarial proceedings—are indeed prohibited by international law and engage the responsibility of the states involved.
How does it manifest in practice?
Imagine a businessman involved in a commercial dispute with another who has connections to political power. Instead of resolving the dispute in commercial courts, a criminal proceeding is initiated under charges like «money laundering» without real substance; bank accounts are frozen; an INTERPOL Red Notice is requested to prevent international mobility; and it culminates in an extradition request. The observable purpose is not to obtain a conviction, but to produce coercive effects—destroying assets, reputation, and capacity for action—regardless of the outcome of the proceeding.
What can VENFORT Lawyers do for you?
1
Legally qualify his situation. distinguishing what constitutes legitimate exercise of public action from what reveals a procedural deviation or a denial of justice.
2
Defend your freedom before the National Court of Spain if facing extradition or a European Arrest Warrant, including the human rights dimension and challenges to the original proceedings.
3
Challenge INTERPOL Red Notice before the File Control Commission.
4
Carry your case before international tribunals (ECtHR, IACtHR, UN mechanisms).
5
Manage OFAC/EU Sanctions when judicial persecution is linked to an international sanctions regime.
6
Coordinate the strategy in multiple jurisdictions with a team operating simultaneously in Spain, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Geneva, Latin America, and Dubai.
«Faced with lawfare, legal rigor, strategic coherence, and the ability to act at multiple levels are decisive. Every abusive procedure that goes unchallenged creates a precedent. Every poorly calibrated reaction exacerbates the balance of power.»
— Prof. Dr. Ludovic Hennebel, Member of VENFORT Lawyers
Response within 24 hours. Confidential consultation. Contact us.
When Extradition Responds to Judicial Instrumentalization: The International Dimension That Makes the Difference
Not all extradition requests are for the legitimate purpose of justice.
In certain contexts—especially those involving entrepreneurs, executives, high-ranking officials, or public figures with cross-border exposure—an extradition request can constitute the final phase of judicial instrumentalization: the strategic use of law and procedures as instruments of pressure, neutralization, or coercion, in contexts where the actual objective deviates from the impartial pursuit of justice.
The pattern is identifiablea criminal proceeding initiated without sufficient factual basis—frequently under charges such as money laundering or fraud—followed by an INTERPOL Red Notice, asset freezes, and, ultimately, an extradition request before the Spanish National High Court or other European courts.
In these configurations, the procedure becomes an autonomous instrument of coercion, dissociated from any genuine demand for a fair trial.
At VENFORT Lawyers, Prof. Dr. Ludovic Hennebel — Professor of International Law, expert member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights — he joins our team to provide a dimension that no other firm in Spain offers: the legal qualification of instrumentalization, strategic litigation before international courts, and the mobilization of United Nations protection mechanisms.
What does this capability add to your defense in extraditions?
1
Legal analysis and qualification of instrumentalization.
We distinguish between the legitimate exercise of criminal action and procedural deviation by analyzing the coherence of the proceedings, the competence of the authorities, respect for the rights of defense, and the real purpose of the process.
2
Litigation before the ECtHR and the Inter-American Court.
When extradition originates from a country where no effective due process guarantees exist, we simultaneously act before Strasbourg or San José to obtain precautionary measures or document the violation of fundamental guarantees.
3
Activation of United Nations mechanisms.
Prof. Hennebel, as a member of the UN's DESC Committee, has insider knowledge of how special procedures, treaty bodies, and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention operate.
4
Challenging the Red Notice before INTERPOL's CCF.
We manage defense before INTERPOL's Control Commission of Files to remove the alert that sustains the detention, when it is based on procedures whose legality or real purpose is questionable.
5
Multijurisdictional coordination.
A single team operating simultaneously in Spain (National Court), France, Belgium, the United Kingdom (Doughty Street Chambers), Geneva, Latin America, and Dubai.
«When the procedure becomes a tool of coercion and not of justice, the defense cannot be limited to responding to an accusation: it must dismantle a structure of pressure. That demands an international strategy.»
— Dr. Alan Aldana, Managing Partner, VENFORT Lawyers
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Authority and trust
The Venfort Abogados team has been exclusively dedicated to the defense of extradition proceedings and international criminal law for more than twenty years.. Our practice has always focused on complex and high impact matters, successfully representing top level businessmen, ex-governors and senior public officials in surrender proceedings before Spanish and foreign courts.
We offer an ultra-specialized service that goes beyond conventional litigation.. Our founding partner, a Spanish and Venezuelan lawyer accredited as a litigant before the International Criminal Court, personally directs the most delicate defenses and coordinates a team with extensive experience in economic criminal law and international legal cooperation.
Dual defense and international collaboration
We acted in a coordinated manner from our office in Madrid, as well as in Caracas, and through a consolidated network of law firms in fifteen jurisdictions.
This structure allows us deploying simultaneous defenses in Spain and in the requesting country, gathering evidence, testimonies and expert opinions while representing the client before the Spanish courts and government authorities.
Confidentiality and reputational protection
An extradition not only compromises personal freedom personal, but can cause irreversible damage to reputation, financial relationships and business stability.
For this reason, we maintain absolute confidentiality Throughout all phases of the process, we collaborate with strategic communication agencies to protect our clients' public image and manage with the utmost discretion the removal of false and inaccurate news on the web, as well as its removal from databases such as World Check, which can subsequently limit the business activity of those affected.
Our goal is that no legal action It becomes a media circus. That's why we have the experience to represent you in:
- Refinitiv (financial database, ex-Reuters)
- World-Check (compliance, AML, PEP and sanctions database)
- LSEG Data & Analytics
Recognized by results
Our lawyers have obtained favorable resolutions The Spanish government has been the most active in the Spanish market in the last few years, compared to requests made by States with a high number of claims against Spain, such as Russia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Venezuela and Mexico.
These results confirm that a correct interpretation of the principle of double jeopardy and a strong defense of fundamental rights can halt proceedings that seemed inevitable.
Advice to governments
In addition to the defense of individuals, we also advise and represent governments whose nationals are claimed from Spain.
We coordinate legal and diplomatic strategies with the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs of the requesting State, preparing files that guarantee respect for due process and fundamental rights.
This institutional aspect of our practice reinforces our capacity for dialogue in particularly sensitive procedures.
Why would an extradition jeopardize your freedom and your legacy?
Loss of freedom and forced relocation
An international arrest warrant may result in immediate arrest at an airport or police action. Spanish courts examine the surrender request and may order the transfer to a foreign legal system, with the consequent risk of unfair trials, disproportionate penalties or detention conditions incompatible with European standards.
Economic crimes and political motivations
Charges for money laundering, tax fraud or corruption often have a transnational component. In many cases, the extradition mechanism is used for political, military, religious or economic persecution purposes. International treaties allow for the refusal of surrender when the conduct is not criminalized in both States or when the request conceals persecution.
Complex and mixed procedure
The Spanish system combines a judicial phase before the competent court with a governmental phase in which the Ministry of Justice and the Council of Ministers take the final decision. Without a highly specialized defense, essential arguments such as roots, statute of limitations or infringement of fundamental rights may not be properly assessed.
Main reasons for opposition to extradition
- Violation of fundamental rights.
- Pursuit political, military or religious.
- Absence of dual criminality.
- Prescription of the crime.
- Trial in absentia and lack of due process.
- Prohibition to extradite The Company's activities are based on national laws and the application of the principles of territoriality.
- Absence of minimum required by Spanish law.
- Adjudicated matter (non bis in idem) and granting of asylum or refuge.
Experience by jurisdiction
Russia
Defense before the National High Court against extradition requests from the Russian Federation, in which the criminal charges for economic offenses concealed instrumentalized political persecution. Delivery was denied invoking the risk of violation of the right to a fair trial and inhuman treatment, in a context of systematic deterioration of procedural guarantees documented by the ECtHR. Lawfare Lasso.
Switzerland
Technical defense in extradition and judicial assistance proceedings initiated by the Swiss Confederation for alleged money laundering. The principle of dual criminality and the insufficiency of the circumstantial evidence submitted through rogatory letters were successfully opposed, questioning the typical configuration of the underlying offense between both jurisdictions.
El Salvador
An institutional case was advised in which the certain risk of inhuman or degrading treatment (Art. 3 ECHR), the violation of the right to liberty (Art. 5 ECHR), and the political offense exclusion clause were invoked, relying on reports submitted to the IACHR concerning the Salvadoran penal system.
Malaysia
Legal advice on a British journalist's displacements to Europe, pursued by Malaysian authorities who had issued an INTERPOL Red Notice against her. A case of lawfare.
Morocco
Intervention in passive extraditions requested by the Kingdom of Morocco in which the formal request—based on common economic offenses—concealed political motivations linked to dissent or conflicts with the interests of the requesting State. The defense was articulated on the political offense clause and the documented risk of violation of the right to a fair trial.
Extradition request for alleged criminal organization offense dismissed due to proof that the request was not issued by a judicial authority. Lawfare case.
Panama
Defense in passive extradition proceedings related to Panamanian investigations for money laundering. The insufficiency of guarantees in the Panamanian judicial system was opposed, and the American Convention on Human Rights (Arts. 7 and 8) was invoked as a complementary protection standard, achieving the imposition of conditions and diplomatic guarantees prior to any eventual handover.
United States
Extradition of Brazilian citizen for prosecution for economic crimes. Dismissed due to statute of limitations.
Peru
Extradition request for alleged terrorism offense filed in connection with the Shining Path environment. Extradition denied due to the statute of limitations on the alleged offense. Lawfare case.
Philippines
Legal advice and mediation with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines in a murder case of a Spanish citizen by Philippine police officers. Diplomatic intervention and support for the family.
Poland (OECD)
Request for European Arrest Warrant for a Polish citizen for serving a prison sentence for organized crime offenses. Denied due to failure to meet deadlines.
Italy (OECO)
Request for European Arrest Warrant (EAW) for Italian citizen for prosecution for fraud offense. Denied due to failure to meet basic requirements.
Second request from the EODD against Italian citizen accused of robbery. Dismissed for incorrect completion of the application form.
Success stories
Venezuelan businesswoman - economic persecution
“Thanks to Venfort Abogados we discovered the conspiracy and I recovered my freedom and my patrimony. They gave me back my peace of mind, protected my family and I was able to return to Venezuela recovering my assets, thank you so much Dr Aldana.”
Emirati businessman - dual defense with UK
“The coordination of Dr. Aldana and his associates in London was crucial. They showed that it was all a commercial conflict and slowed down the extradition process. Their immediate reaction and cultural understanding made the difference.”
Mexican businessman - reputation intact
“I returned to my country without stain or scandal. Venfort Abogados” defense protected my name and that of my family."
Gulf Executive - precautionary measures from the outset
“The Venfort team reacted immediately, got my freedom and understood my culture. Their help was invaluable.”
Our comprehensive solution
At Venfort Attorneys-at-Law we understand that facing an extradition process is a situation of the utmost urgency and legal complexity. For this reason, we have designed a clear, human and strategic defense method. who accompanies the client from the first contact until the resolution of the case.
1
Immediate legal analysis
In the event of an arrest or a notification of an international arrest warrant, we urgently review the file and the applicable treaty, identify formal defects or political motivations and compare the criminal legislation of both States to verify compliance with the principle of dual criminality.
2
Demonstration of roots and precautionary measures
We prepare a complete personal file that accredits links to Spain - family, business, fiscal and patrimonial - and provide sufficient guarantees to request provisional release and avoid pre-trial detention. This strategy significantly increases the chances that the court will impose less burdensome precautionary measures while the request is being resolved.
3
Coordinated judicial and governmental defense
We design a comprehensive defense that covers both the judicial and governmental phases. We formulate legal allegations based on the lack of criminalization, statute of limitations or the risk of violation of fundamental rights and, in parallel, we prepare an institutional report for the governmental phase. We coordinate actions with law firms in the requesting country and assume the direct interlocution with the competent Spanish authorities.
Our management team
The success of our defenses relies on the experience and leadership of our team.
Our team in Madrid includes lawyers with recognized experience in extradition proceedings for crimes of a common nature that conceal persecution and politically motivated defenses.
Dr. Alan Aldana.
International Management. Spanish and Venezuelan lawyer, founder of the firm and accredited as a litigator before the International Criminal Court, with more than twenty years of experience in international criminal law and transnational economic crime.
Eduardo Mora Rodríguez.
Director of litigation in Venezuela. Former prosecutor of the Public Prosecutor's Office, specialist in international criminal and economic law, with a solid academic and professional background.
Prof. Dr. Ludovic Hennebel
Academic advisor. Professor of International Law and recognized expert in international litigation and human rights.
Alejandro Gámez
Of Counsel — Barcelona | OED and Extraditions
Profile
Alejandro Gámez Selma.
Criminal defense attorney specializing in international extraditions and the execution and opposition of European Arrest Warrants (EAW). Member of the Expert Advisory Panel of Fair Trials International, a leading organization in the protection of the right to a fair trial in Europe. Assumes immediate defense of individuals detained at Barcelona-El Prat Airport and before the Central Investigating Courts, guaranteeing urgent legal assistance from the very moment of arrest.
Working languages: Spanish, English, and French.
Eduardo Gomez
Of Counsel — Madrid | Extraditions before the National High Court
Profile
Eduardo Gómez Cuadrado.
Criminal defense lawyer with over twenty years of professional practice, specialized in international extraditions and European Arrest Warrants (EAWs). Assigned for more than a decade to the public defender's office of the National High Court—the Spanish court with exclusive jurisdiction in passive extradition matters—which grants him exhaustive knowledge of all active extradition routes in Spain and the daily procedural practice of the Criminal Chamber and the Central Investigating Courts.
Working languages: Spanish and Italian.
Luis Mateo
Expert in Extraditions and International Criminal Law
Profile
Luis Ignacio Mateo Ramírez.
He has intervened in numerous extradition proceedings and European Arrest Warrants (EAWs). He has direct experience in extraditions with Morocco, the United Kingdom—post-Brexit extradition—, Eastern European countries, and Latin American countries, achieving results in all of them that validate his judgment and strategic approach.
His experience in economic criminal law includes numerous cases before the National High Court, among them some of the most high-profile and legally complex in the last decade in Spain. Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ 2026. Associate Professor of Criminal Law at UNED and at Comillas Pontifical University (ICADE).
Working languages: Spanish, English, and French.
How we work
We analyze each case from a highly specialized perspective, assess legal and reputational risks and design a tailor-made strategy according to the requesting country. We coordinate the gathering of evidence in multiple jurisdictions and lead the defense before the courts and the Spanish government.
Our services are oriented to complex and highly sensitive matters; therefore, we dedicate all the necessary resources from the very beginning.
Your freedom and reputation are our priority. Act today to protect them.
Talk to a lawyer now.
Immediate contact with specialized senior lawyer. Attention 24/7.
Phone: +34 614 335 889
E-mail: contacto@venfort.com
Headquarters
Madrid: Paseo de la Castellana 93, 2nd floor, office 242, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
Caracas: Luis Roche de Altamira Avenue, #16, Caracas 1060, Venezuela.
The information contained in this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized legal advice. Always consult a specialized lawyer.
VENFORT® Confidentiality, Effectiveness and Commitment.
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