Courts / Ireland / Report

Landmark Polish extradition case set for Supreme Court

Summary

The Irish Supreme Court is set to determine a landmark extradition appeal concerning Artur Celmer, a 31-year-old man wanted in Poland on drugs trafficking charges. Celmer was arrested in Ireland under a European Arrest Warrant, and his proposed surrender was ordered by Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly in the High Court. However, she noted that the High Court's interpretation of a Court of Justice of the EU ruling regarding Poland's justice reforms was not clear-cut, encouraging a leapfrog appeal to the Supreme Court in the public interest. President of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, permitted this application, with the State supporting it. The core legal question is whether systemic deficiencies in judicial independence in an EU member state are sufficient, on their own, to establish substantial grounds for believing a specific accused's fair trial rights would be breached. Earlier proceedings involved Ms Justice Donnelly seeking assurances after Poland's Deputy Justice Minister, acting as applicant, referred to Celmer as a dangerous criminal. While Judge Joanna Bitner assured the High Court that such statements were irrelevant to judicial independence, Judge Piotr Gaciarek testified that recent legislative changes posed serious threats to the Polish justice system, citing disciplinary actions against judges who criticized government amendments. The matter remains at the appeal stage, with the Supreme Court yet to deliver its final determination.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Landmark Polish extradition case set for Supreme Court. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• 2018-12-10 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal

Read the original CNI report