Alex Jeremjan v District Court in Jihlava (Czechia)

Facts

Mr Alex Jermejan was convicted in his absence by the District Court in Jihlava, Czechia, on 29 November 2021 of a fraud committed on 17 July 2020, when he borrowed CZK 240,000 (some £7,929.60) said to serve as a guarantee for a loan and then failed to repay it and became uncontactable. A sentence of two years' imprisonment was imposed. He moved to Austria, where he was a permanent and registered resident. The Czech authorities sought his extradition from Austria, but never answered the Austrian court's queries about transfer of the sentence, service of the in absentia judgment and retrial rights; he was released after 18 days in custody and the warrant was formally discharged on 6 July 2023. A conviction arrest warrant had meanwhile been issued on 28 March 2023, certified by the National Crime Agency on 18 December 2023, and he was arrested at Manchester airport on 30 March 2024 on arrival from Austria. District Judge Jackson ordered his extradition on 6 January 2025, rejecting arguments based on the passage of time under section 14 of the Extradition Act 2003, Article 8, and abuse of process. He was bailed by Sweeting J on 8 May 2025 and appealed with permission granted on the papers by Choudhury J.