Switzerland ‘probably wouldn’t’ extradite Catalan leader

Switzerland will not extradite Anna Gabriel, a Catalan leader facing criminal charges in Spain for pursuing independence, if the offenses for which she is being prosecuted are regarded as political. And as a spokesperson of the Swiss government told Catalan News, this is exactly what news reports suggest.

“Switzerland doesn’t grant—as many other states—extradition or another kind of mutual legal assistance for political offenses,” said Folco Galli, and added that “Owing to media reports the acts Anna Gabriel is accused of seem prima vista to be political offenses. Therefore, Switzerland wouldn’t probably be able to grant extradition or another kind of mutual legal assistance (for instance, interview as suspect). If a request were submitted, the OFJ would, of course, have to examine exactly the facts of the case.”