Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved a series of bilateral agreements with Morocco on Wednesday in legal assistance, according to the official Kazakh Telegraph Agency “KazTAG.”
The agreements will strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the delivery of extradition, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and convicts.
The first agreement, concerning extradition, outlines the conditions under which Kazakhstan and Morocco can respond to requests for the surrender of individuals wanted for criminal offenses. Extradition for prosecution applies to offenses punishable by at least one year of imprisonment or a more severe penalty, in accordance with the laws of both countries.
In cases of extradition for the execution of a sentence, the remaining prison term must be at least six months. If the request involves multiple offenses, the requested party may still approve the extradition for all offenses. However, some offenses do not meet the conditions for extradition.
The agreement also specifies mandatory grounds for refusing extradition, including the nationality of the wanted person if they are a citizen of the requested country. Other grounds for refusal include political offenses, the imposition of the death penalty, or fears of persecution based on race, religion, or nationality. Optional grounds for refusal include ongoing prosecutions in the requested country or the expiration of the statute of limitations.
The second agreement is about mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. This cooperation will allow the exchange of information and documents, the collection of evidence, the location of individuals, and the appearance of witnesses and experts. Assistance may also include measures for the confiscation of assets and any other support needed for investigations or proceedings.
The third agreement deals with the transfer of sentenced persons. It allows Kazakhstani and Moroccan nationals who have been convicted in one of the two countries to serve their sentences in their home country to facilitate their reintegration. The conditions for this transfer are determined by the regulations of each country, taking into account the sentence imposed and the principles outlined in the agreement.