Portugal Refuses Extradition of Former Police Officer Accused of Double Femicide
The Portuguese judiciary has blocked a European arrest warrant issued by France for Cédric Prizzon, a 42-year-old former police officer and rugby player accused of killing two women. The decision, announced on Friday, May 8, 2026, ensures that Prizzon will remain in Portuguese custody rather than being transferred to French authorities for trial.
The Judicial Ruling: Territorial Jurisdiction
The Coimbra Court of Appeal justified its refusal to execute the arrest warrant based on the location of the alleged crimes. According to the court, the acts were committed “entirely or in part on the national territory,” granting Portugal the primary jurisdiction to handle the legal proceedings.
Prizzon is currently held in provisional detention. While the French prosecution in Montpellier had disseminated the arrest warrant on March 25, the Portuguese legal system has maintained that its own judicial procedures, which were opened against the French national, take precedence.
Details of the Case
The investigation centers on the deaths of two French women: Audrey Cavalié and Angela Legobien. The victims’ bodies were discovered buried in a remote area of the Bragança district in northeast Portugal.
- Audrey Cavalié: The 40-year-old ex-partner of Prizzon and mother of their 12-year-old son.
- Angela Legobien: The 26-year-old partner of Prizzon at the time of the events and mother of their 18-month-old daughter.
Prizzon was apprehended during a routine road check in the Guarda region of Portugal on March 24, roughly 100 kilometers south of where the bodies were eventually located.
Families Demand Justice and Transparency
The ruling has sparked significant distress and frustration among the victims’ families, who are advocating for a trial to be held in France. The mother of Angela Legobien expressed her desire that Prizzon “be extradited as soon as possible and that a trial be held in France.”
Legal representatives for the families have highlighted a perceived lack of cooperation from Portuguese authorities. Elsa Cazor, lawyer for Angela Legobien’s mother, described her client’s “total incomprehension” regarding the silence of the Portuguese authorities despite the warrant being active for over a month. Me Cazor further stated that “Portuguese authorities provide no information and do not allow access to the case file,” noting that such access is a fundamental right for civil parties.
Fabien Arakélian, the lawyer representing the mother of Audrey Cavalié, echoed these demands for extradition earlier in the week.
Key Takeaways
- Extradition Denied: Portugal’s Coimbra Court of Appeal rejected France’s European arrest warrant for Cédric Prizzon.
- Legal Basis: The refusal is based on the fact that the crimes occurred on Portuguese soil.
- The Victims: Two French women, a current partner and an ex-partner, were found buried in the Bragança district.
- Family Conflict: Families of the victims are protesting the lack of transparency and the refusal to transfer the suspect to France.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a European Arrest Warrant (EAW)?
A European Arrest Warrant is a streamlined judicial mechanism that allows EU member states to request the surrender of a person requested for prosecution or execution of a sentence. However, member states can refuse an EAW if the person is being prosecuted for the same act in the requested state.
Why did Portugal refuse the extradition?
Under international and EU law, the state where the crime was committed often has the primary right to prosecute. Because the alleged double femicide took place within Portugal, the Coimbra Court of Appeal determined that the case should be handled by the Portuguese justice system.
What happens to Cédric Prizzon now?
Prizzon remains in provisional detention in Portugal, where he will face the judicial process initiated by the Portuguese authorities.