Where can you not get extradited?

Asked by: Clair Howell | Last update: February 19, 2026

Score: 5/5 (20 votes)

You generally can't get extradited from countries with no formal extradition treaty, like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Indonesia, and many in Africa/Middle East, or from countries that refuse extradition for specific reasons, such as political crimes, death penalty offenses, or due to human rights concerns (e.g., France, Germany might not extradite if torture is feared). Even without a treaty, cooperation can happen if countries have strong relations, but it's less likely, while nations with no ties offer the most protection.

Where is there no extradition?

Nations such as Somalia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Djibouti have never established extradition treaties with the United States or any other country, as this has not been a priority for their governments. Liberia previously had an extradition agreement with the United States, but it was subsequently terminated.

What crimes can you not be extradited for?

Non-extraditable crimes are offenses that countries refuse to transfer individuals for, often due to political motivations, lack of dual criminality (the act isn't a crime in both nations), the fugitive being a ** national of the refuge country**, concerns about human rights/death penalty, or simply because the crime is considered too minor (like some traffic offenses/misdemeanors), leading to high costs for extradition. Common reasons for denial include political offenses, threats to human rights, insufficient evidence, or the offense not being criminalized in the requested country.

What happens if a country refuses to extradite?

The refusal of a country to extradite suspects or criminals to another may lead to international relations being strained. Often, the country to which extradition is refused will accuse the other country of refusing extradition for political reasons (regardless of whether or not this is justified).

How to avoid extradition?

A fugitive may not be subject to extradition for any number of reasons, if he or she is a national of the country of refuge and that country does not extradite its nationals, the crime is not an extraditable offense, the statute of limitations has run in the foreign country, or the fugitive has been prosecuted in the ...

How extradition works or doesn't | Fugitives Next Door

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What countries do fugitives go to?

However, some individuals need a place where they can start over without worrying about their criminal past leading to prosecution. Countries like Cuba, North Korea, and Russia are ideal non-extradition countries for individuals looking to avoid prosecution.

Do states ever deny extradition?

There are only four grounds upon which the governor of the asylum state may deny another state's request for extradition: the extradition documents facially are not in order; the person has not been charged with a crime in the demanding state; the person is not the person named in the extradition documents; or.

Does the Bahamas have extradition to the US?

The Extradition Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas signed at Nassau on March 9, 1990.

What makes a case not extraditable?

A case isn't extraditable if it lacks a treaty, the crime isn't dual-criminal (illegal in both countries), it's a political offense, the person might face human rights abuses (like torture or death penalty), or the requesting nation's charges are insufficient or too minor. Other reasons include a nation refusing to extradite its own citizens or if there are concerns about fairness, such as potential persecution or lack of due process.

Can felons go to Mexico on vacation?

If you're wondering, "Can I go to Mexico if I have a criminal record?", Mexico may deny entry to individuals with serious criminal convictions, such as drug trafficking, violent crimes, or sex offenses. If a criminal record prevents you from traveling, you may need to seek legal solutions to clear your record.

What is the best country to flee to from the US?

There's no single "best" country, as it depends on your priorities (safety, cost, lifestyle), but popular choices for Americans seeking a change include Canada, for proximity and similarity; Portugal, for safety, mild climate, and expat-friendly visas; Mexico, for low cost and ease of entry; and Ireland, for cultural ties and English-speaking environments, with others like Costa Rica, Spain, and New Zealand also frequently mentioned for stability, nature, or lifestyle.

What state does not extradite felons?

Not all states have adopted the UCEA, however, states that have not adopted it have their own extradition laws that comply with the federal law. The only two U.S. states that have not adopted the UCEA are South Carolina and Missouri.

Why does Mexico not extradite?

Mexico cooperates with the USA on extradition issues based on a bilateral treaty signed in 1978. According to this agreement, Mexico extradites criminals accused of committing serious crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, and corruption. However, extradition may be complicated if the accused is a citizen of Mexico.

What happens if you flee the country to avoid jail?

If someone is suspected of committing a crime, they may try and leave the country to avoid a trial or punishment. However, if they go to a country that has an extradition agreement with the United States, they may find themselves turned over to U.S. custody.

What countries are not in Interpol?

Below is the list of countries not in Interpol and territories that are not members of Interpol:

UN Member States: Palau, Tuvalu, Micronesia;
Partially recognized states and organizations: Taiwan, Abkhazia, Northern Cyprus, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, South Ossetia, Sovereign Military Order of Malta;

What Caribbean country does not extradite?

As one of the best Caribbean countries to live in, Cuba has no formal extradition treaty with the US.

Does Jamaica extradite to the USA?

To the Senate of the United States: With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith the Treaty on Extradition between the United States of America and Jamaica, signed at Kingston on June 14, 1983.

Can a US citizen live full time in the Bahamas?

Yes, a U.S. citizen can live in the Bahamas full-time, but requires obtaining residency through permits like an Annual Permit or Permanent Residency, often facilitated by property purchase or investment, as standard tourist stays are limited to 90 days. The easiest paths involve buying property, which can lead to a Home Owners Resident Card or qualifies for permanent residency via investment, requiring applications to the Department of Immigration with supporting documents like medical and police certificates.

Where can you go where you can't be extradited?

The United States does not have an extradition treaty with China, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Taiwan, Ukraine, Vietnam, the Gulf Cooperation Council states, most African states, and most former Soviet states, among others.

What crimes can you get extradited for?

You can be extradited for a wide range of serious crimes like murder, drug trafficking, terrorism, robbery, rape, kidnapping, arson, burglary, fraud, and espionage, typically defined in bilateral treaties or international conventions, requiring the crime to be punishable by both the requesting and requested jurisdictions ("dual criminality") and often excluding minor offenses, political crimes, or cases involving your own citizens. Extradition usually involves formal charges or convictions and sufficient evidence, focusing on serious felonies rather than minor misdemeanors.

How to stop extradition?

Here are some ways you can challenge extradition:

Lack of Probable Cause: The defendant can attempt to argue that there is no real probable cause for extradition. ...
Mistaken Identity: One of the most common ways to challenge extradition is to claim mistaken identity.

Why do fugitives go to Cuba?

Criminals flee to Cuba primarily because it historically offered political asylum, often denying extradition requests for fugitives from the U.S. and other nations, especially those involved in radical movements (like Black Panthers) or financial crimes, using the island as a safe haven from American justice, sometimes leveraging weak extradition ties or government policies for refuge, despite improving U.S.-Cuba relations and occasional returns.

Who is the most wanted man in the world?

There isn't one single "most wanted man in the world," as different agencies (like the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals, Interpol) have their own lists for different crimes, but top targets often include major drug traffickers like Yulan Adonay Archaga Carias, alleged terrorists, and major financial criminals like the \"crypto queen\" Ruja Ignatova, with significant rewards for information leading to arrests, reflecting global efforts against transnational crime.

How often do fugitives get caught?

Fugitive Apprehension

In 2025, the USMS arrested 73,323 fugitives, including 28,533 who were wanted on federal warrants and 44,790 on state and local warrants. On average, USMS personnel arrested 293 fugitives per operational day, demonstrating the Agency's dedication to justice and community safety.