Summary. Avv. Alexandro Maria Tirelli is an Italian criminal defence lawyer admitted to Italy’s Supreme Court, focused on cross-border cases: extradition, the European Arrest Warrant, Interpol red notices, international white-collar crime, and the defence of people caught up in investigations spanning several countries. He works on cases in more than 25 jurisdictions. If you are facing a criminal matter with an international dimension, this page explains how he can help.

In brief

  • Cassazionista (Italian Supreme Court Bar admitted).
  • Academic role: professor of international criminal law.
  • Author of monographs and articles on extradition, MAE, narcotics, and international cooperation.
  • Working languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish (counsel network on local counsel basis worldwide).
  • Areas of practice: extradition (active/passive), MAE, Interpol red notices, financial crime, money laundering, narcotics offences, white-collar defence, international criminal cooperation.

Practice areas

Extradition law

Defence in extradition proceedings — both passive (Italy as requested State) and active (Italy as requesting State). Comprehensive treatment of bilateral treaties, multilateral conventions (Council of Europe 1957, UN Palermo 2000), and customary international cooperation (Article 696 Italian Code of Criminal Procedure). Extensive practice on the so-called “non-extradition countries” map.

European Arrest Warrant (MAE)

Full defence under L. 22 April 2005, n. 69 (implementing Council Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA, as amended). Both incoming and outgoing MAE. Special attention to optional and mandatory grounds for refusal (Articles 18 and 18-bis), specialty principle (Article 26), and post-CJEU rulings on detention conditions (Aranyosi/Caldararu line of cases).

Interpol red notices

Challenges before the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) in Lyon, on grounds of Articles 2 and 3 of the Interpol Statute and the Rules on the Processing of Data. Construction of evidentiary dossiers for political nature, lack of motivation, ne bis in idem, and human rights incompatibility.

Transnational white-collar crime

Tax fraud (D.lgs. 74/2000), money laundering (Articles 648-bis, 648-ter, 648-ter.1 of the Italian Criminal Code), corruption (Articles 318-322), corporate criminal liability under D.lgs. 231/2001. Cross-border investigations with parallel jurisdictions (US-Italy, UK-Italy, UAE-Italy, LATAM-Italy).

Narcotics offences (Article 73 DPR 309/1990)

A traditional area of practice. International cooperation in narcotics cases — particularly with US DEA-supported investigations and Latin America — has been a steady part of the practice for over twenty years.

Professional credentials

  • Italian Bar (Albo Ordinario Avvocati, Roma).
  • Italian Supreme Court Bar (Albo Speciale Cassazionisti).
  • Former lecturer in international criminal law at the Sergio Arboleda University (Bogotá); lecturer at the Alta Scuola del Diritto Penale Internazionale e delle Estradizioni.
  • Founder and president of the European and International Criminal Law Chambers (since 2017); president of ISNITS (since 2024).
  • Author of fourteen publications on extradition, EAW, narcotics and transnational criminal cooperation.
  • Media commentator on RAI, Mediaset, La7, and international press.

Working method

The international defence cases we handle require coordination across jurisdictions. Our method:

  1. Early-stage qualification. We distinguish the legal nature of the alert or proceeding (red notice / MAE / provisional arrest / formal extradition request). Each requires different countermeasures.
  2. Parallel jurisdictions. Local counsel in the relevant jurisdictions; consistent narrative across all proceedings.
  3. Document-driven defence. International defence is won on documentary completeness: treaties, conventions, prior precedents, governmental papers, NGO reports on detention conditions.
  4. Multilateral institutions. When applicable — CCF Interpol, European Court of Human Rights, UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, CJEU references.

Frequently asked questions

Can you represent a non-Italian citizen? Yes. Italian criminal procedure does not condition the right of defence on citizenship. We represent foreign nationals before Italian courts, and Italian nationals before foreign courts (in coordination with local counsel).

Do you work in English? Yes. The international desk operates primarily in English; written submissions and consultations are available in English. Italian remains the procedural language before Italian courts.

How long does an extradition case take? With a bilateral treaty: 12-36 months on average. Without a treaty (cooperation by international comity): variable, often longer. MAE proceedings: 60-90 days for the first-instance decision.

What is the difference between MAE and extradition? MAE operates between EU member States with a simplified procedure under L. 69/2005. Extradition (traditional) operates between Italy and non-EU States, under bilateral treaties or international comity (Article 696 c.p.p.).

Can an Interpol red notice be removed? Yes. The CCF Interpol in Lyon assesses removal requests under Articles 2 and 3 of the Statute. The procedure is administrative and conducted in writing. Typical timeline: 9-15 months.

Selected commentary

Avv. Tirelli regularly comments on landmark rulings in international criminal cooperation. Subscribe to the monthly newsletter on international criminal law for case notes on CJEU, ECtHR, and Italian Supreme Court of Cassation rulings.

Author box

Avv. Alexandro Maria Tirelli Italian criminal defence lawyer. Cassazionista. Academic and author in international criminal law. Full profile — Publications — Contact

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  • inLanguage: en-GB
  • dateModified: 2026-06-15

About the author

Avv. Alexandro Maria Tirelli — Italian criminal-defence lawyer (Cassazionista), founding partner of International Lawyers Associates. Specialized in extradition, EAW, international narcotics law. President of ISNITS since 2024.

  • University of Turin; LIUC Carlo Cattaneo
  • TV commentator: TGCom24, La7, RaiNews24, BBC, Fanpage
  • Full profile