EC taking Czechia and Hungary to court over non-compliance with European arrest warrant rules

The European Commission has decided to refer the Czech Republic and Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to comply with rules governing the European Arrest Warrant (EAW).

According to the Commission, the Czech Republic received a formal notice in 2020 and a follow-up warning in November 2023 over the incorrect implementation of several provisions and has failed to rectify the failings.

The European Arrest Warrant, in force since 1 January 2004, is a simplified cross-border judicial procedure that allows for the transfer of suspects or convicted individuals between EU member states, replacing earlier, more time-consuming extradition processes.