The European Arrest Warrant - Optional Reasons for Refusing its Execution. Case Law Aspects

Abstract

This paper aims to bring to attention certain optional reasons for refusing the execution of a European arrest warrant, situations in which the courts can defeat the principle of mutual recognition and trust between the judicial authorities of the European Union states, which represents the “cornerstone” of judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The judicial enforcement authorities cannot refuse to execute a European arrest warrant except for reasons resulting from the Council Framework Decision No. 2002/584/JAI of 13 June 2002, however, in practice, the optional reasons for non-execution often raised problems, the wording of article 4 and article 4a leaving a margin in the judgment of the courts.