Germany reforms extradition laws to prevent rushed transfers like Maja T.'s case
The German government is set to overhaul the country’s extradition laws. The planned reform aims to strengthen protections for individuals facing extradition and prevent cases like the rapid transfer of Maja T. Under the new rules, a one-week pause will be introduced before any extradition can proceed. The draft legislation includes a mandatory seven-day delay before extradition can take place. During this period, no transfer will be allowed. If the affected person opposes the decision, their case will automatically go to a Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht, OLG). Any appeal filed within that week will halt the extradition until the court reviews it.
The OLG will examine the case, and if fundamental legal issues arise, the individual can request a further referral to the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH). The reform follows criticism of past cases, such as that of Maja T., where extraditions were carried out swiftly without sufficient time for legal challenges.
Germany handles around 2,000 extradition requests from foreign states each year. While the German Bar Association praised the improved protections, it criticised the tight one-week deadline as insufficient. Meanwhile, the German Judges’ Association warned that the changes could lead to a sharp rise in court workloads. The reform introduces stricter safeguards for those facing extradition. Courts will now have more time to review cases, and individuals will have a guaranteed window to challenge decisions. The changes come in response to concerns over rushed transfers and the need for fairer legal processes.
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