Latest news with #MehdiCharafa
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Dubai extradites two men wanted by Interpol to France: UAE's 2025 extraditions to France reach 10
Dubai has extradited two international suspects to France on charges of fraud and drug trafficking, marking the latest step in a series of coordinated international operations aimed at dismantling organised transnational crime networks. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The arrests, carried out after Interpol and Europol red notices were issued, underscore the UAE's increasing role as a key hub in global law enforcement collaboration. International Red Notices Lead to Arrest and Extradition Two individuals, whose identities have not been publicly disclosed, were apprehended in Dubai following international red notices issued by both Interpol and Europol. Dubai Police confirmed the arrests on Friday, stating the men were wanted in France for serious criminal offenses including attempted fraud and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. In an official statement, Dubai Police said: 'Search and investigation teams launched a tracking operation based on red notices. The suspects and their homes were identified and monitored until they were arrested.' The arrests were the result of joint efforts between Dubai Police, the UAE Ministry of Justice's International Cooperation Department, and French judicial authorities. The Ministry of Justice confirmed it had received official arrest warrants and coordinated with Dubai's Public Prosecution to facilitate the extradition. Authorities further revealed that the suspects were not just wanted for isolated offenses but were linked to organised international criminal activity, with connections to murder, money laundering, armed robbery, and crime syndicate leadership. 'These suspects were involved in organised international crimes including murder, money laundering, armed robbery, drug trafficking and crime gang leaders,' the Dubai Police added. Broader Law Enforcement Trend: 10 Extraditions to France in 2025 With this operation, the number of suspects extradited by Dubai Police to France in 2025 has reached 10, according to official figures. These individuals are tied to a wide range of grave offenses including: Premeditated murder Leading organised crime networks Large-scale drug trafficking Armed robbery Financial crimes including money laundering and fraud This increasing number highlights the UAE's proactive stance on transnational crime and the country's tightening cooperation with global law enforcement agencies. Earlier this year, on February 7, the UAE extradited Mehdi Charafa, a French national wanted on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering, after the UAE's Federal Supreme Court approved the extradition request from French authorities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now High-Profile Cases Highlight UAE's Role in Global Policing Dubai has also been instrumental in other high-stakes international handovers this year. On July 17, the UAE extradited Othman El Ballouti, widely known as the 'Cocaine King', to Belgium. El Ballouti, a 38-year-old Belgian-Moroccan, was among Interpol and Europol's most wanted. He is accused of orchestrating massive cocaine shipments into Europe, particularly through the Port of Antwerp, one of Europe's busiest entry points for narcotics. El Ballouti's arrest in Dubai in December 2024 and subsequent extradition followed procedures outlined under the 2021 UAE-Belgium extradition treaty. His case formed part of a wider international anti-narcotics operation involving multiple jurisdictions. Alongside El Ballouti, two other high-profile suspects, Matthias Akyazili and Georgi Faes, were also extradited, marking a significant moment in international anti-narcotics collaboration. A Regional Hub for International Cooperation The International Cooperation Department at the UAE Ministry of Justice has played a central role in processing these extradition requests. As the designated authority for handling such international legal matters, it works closely with domestic agencies like Dubai Police and the Public Prosecution to ensure that extradition proceedings are compliant with both UAE laws and international agreements. The UAE's active response to red notices and arrest warrants, especially in high-profile cases, reflects a broader policy shift toward strengthening international justice systems and reinforcing global security frameworks.
Gulf Today
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
UAE approves extradition of drug trafficker Mehdi Charafa to France
The UAE Federal Supreme Court has acceded to the request of the competent authorities of the French Republic for the extradition of the accused, Mehdi Charafa, a French national, on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. The decision was made subsequent to the accused having exhausted all available litigation procedures, and in accordance with the extradition agreement signed between the UAE and the French Republic on 2 May Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal issued a decision approving the extradition of the accused, who subsequently appealed the judgment before the Federal Supreme Court. The latter issued its decision in a session held on January 14, 2025, rejecting the appeal and approving the extradition of the measures are indicative of the UAE's commitment to collaborating closely with international partners in the fight against transnational crime. The extradition agreement with the French Republic is one of more than 45 such agreements that the UAE has ratified in recent years with a number of countries. The UAE is poised to enter into additional accords in this particular context, as part of its commitment to bolster collaboration within the legal and judicial domains by adhering to the most effective practices that have been implemented in this sector and by intensifying its endeavours to address transnational criminal activities.
Arab News
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
UAE's highest court approves extraditing notorious trafficker Mehdi Charafa to France
ABU DHABI: The UAE's highest court has approved an extradition request lodged by the French authorities to repatriate Frenchman Mehdi Charafa, a notorious drug trafficker, the Emirates News Agency reported on Friday. The UAE Federal Supreme Court has approved the extradition of Charafa to the authorities in France following an extradition request filed with the UAE government on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering, WAM's report said. After the completion of all relevant legal procedures by the accused and in alignment with the extradition treaty signed between both countries on May 2, 2007, the court made its decision to repatriate Charafa. The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court issued a decision approving the accused's extradition. Consequently, Charafa appealed the decision to the Federal Supreme Court, which dismissed his appeal and upheld the extradition on Jan. 14, 2025. WAM said that the procedures reflected the UAE's commitment to continued collaboration with international partners in the pursuit of international justice. According to The Pinnacle Gazette, on Jan. 23 France's Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that the UAE had accepted the extradition of an individual (without naming Charafa) wanted by France, during a visit to Agen, Lot-et-Garonne while inspecting the National School for Prison Administration. Charafa is described as 'a notoriously wanted narco bandit' by Darmanin, particularly pursued by the Interregional Specialized Jurisdiction of Bordeaux, which focuses on organized crime. The nature of his criminal activities includes the use of the 'go-fast' methodology — a high-speed transport method commonly employed by drug traffickers to evade law enforcement. The extradition agreement with France is one of more than 45 agreements signed in recent years with several countries, with the UAE committed to pursuing further accords, WAM reported. These agreements demonstrate the keenness of the UAE to enhance cooperation in legal and judicial matters according to the best international practices in this field, aiming to reinforce efforts that combat global crimes.
Emirates 24/7
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Emirates 24/7
UAE Federal Supreme Court approves extradition of Mehdi Charafa to Republic of France
The UAE Federal Supreme Court has approved the extradition of the accused Mehdi Charafa, a French national, to the relevant authorities in the Republic of France, following an extradition request filed with the UAE government on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. The decision was made following the completion of all legal procedures by the accused, and in accordance with the extradition agreement signed between the UAE and the Republic of France on May 2nd, 2007. The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court issued a decision approving the accused's extradition. Consequently, the accused appealed the decision to the Federal Supreme Court, which rejected the appeal and approved the extradition during a session held on 14th January 2025. These procedures reflect the UAE's commitment to continued collaboration with international partners in the pursuit of international justice. The extradition agreement with the Republic of France is one of more than 45 agreements signed in recent years with several countries, with the UAE committed to pursuing further accords in this regard. These agreements firmly demonstrate the keenness of the UAE to enhance cooperation on legal and judicial matters according to the best international practices in this field, aiming to reinforce efforts that combat global crimes. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Gulf Insider
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
UAE to Extradite Wanted Drug Trafficker Mehdi Charafa to France
The UAE will extradite French national Mehdi Charafa — a criminal wanted for drug-related offences — to France, authorities announced on Friday. The Federal Supreme Court has approved the extradition, allowing Charafa to face charges of drug trafficking and money laundering in France. The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal initially approved the extradition; however, Charafa challenged the decision and appealed the case to the Supreme Court. In a session held on January 14, the country's top court rejected the appeal and gave the green light for the extradition. The decision came after the defendant had exhausted all legal procedures, and in implementation of the extradition agreement signed between the UAE and France on May 2, 2007. The extradition agreement with the French Republic is one of more than 45 agreements that the UAE has signed in recent years with a number of countries. The state also intends to sign more agreements in this regard, as part of its keenness to enhance cooperation in the legal and judicial fields by following the best practices applied in this field and what enhances efforts to combat global crimes.
