Ecuador's court unanimously denied the extradition appeal of Serbian national Jezdimir Srdan, who seeks immediate extradition to Austria while having pending sentences in Ecuador.
On March 16, 2023, the Ecuadorian judges Manuel Cabrera, Felipe Córdova, and Olavo Hernández unanimously rejected the extradition appeal filed by Serbian national Jezdimir Srdan. This decision follows the earlier acceptance of Austria's extradition request by the President of Ecuador's National Court of Justice, Marco Rodríguez. Srdan is under investigation for an attempted murder that occurred in Vienna in March 2020, and the court's ruling ensures that he will not be extradited until he fulfills his legal obligations in Ecuador.
Judge Rodríguez clarified that although the extradition has been approved, Srdan will not be immediately released for extradition but must first serve his sentences in Ecuador. Only upon completing his terms will the process of extradition to Austria commence. This also designed to safeguard Srdan from potential inhumane treatment once he arrives in Austria, responding to concerns about his rights.
The defense attorney, Diego Chimbo, insisted on Srdan's right to appeal against the court's rejection. The ruling has significant implications for Ecuadorean law and international extradition principles, highlighting the balance between fulfilling domestic legal obligations and cooperating with foreign judicial authorities.
