Extradition request dropped by Poland

On 18 November 2022, the relevant Polish Judicial Authority withdrew an extradition request against SZ.

SZ is an illiterate Roma woman who had been forcibly married aged 11 and gone on to have a number of children. SZ had been subject to appalling sexual violence, domestic violence and coercion by her then husband throughout her childhood and into adulthood. He had forced her to commit theft offences for which she had then been convicted in Poland.

The evidence confirmed “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” and severe depression with psychosis. Numerous issues were raised in resistance to extradition relating SZ’s human rights, the history of sexual and domestic abuse, SZ’s mental health and proportionality. The extradition request was dropped on 18 November.

Amelia Nice represented SZ, instructed by Nicola Babb of Armstrong Solicitors.