Alexandro Maria Tirelli

22/10/2026

FOUR TONNES OF CO***NE, A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIAL, AND A JUDGE WHO STEPS ASIDE: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN THE GEPPO 21 CASE?

When international drug trafficking proceedings involve dozens of defendants, multiple countries, and tonnes of narcotics, even a procedural issue can become decisive.

This is precisely what has emerged from the latest developments in Operation Geppo 21, one of the most significant anti-drug investigations in recent years, which returned to the spotlight following the hearing of 22 October 2026 before the Court of Trieste.

As reported by Diario FVG, Judge Manila Salvà recused herself after defense lawyers raised concerns about her eligibility to preside over the case, in light of a previous judicial decision she had made in connection with the proceedings.

Original article published by Diario FVG (in Italian):

https://www.diariofvg.it/2026/10/22/quattro-tonnellate-di-cocaina-sequestrate-a-trieste-colpo-di-scena-al-processo/

WHY IS THIS DEVELOPMENT SO IMPORTANT?

In criminal proceedings, judicial impartiality is not a mere procedural formality.

It is a fundamental safeguard, particularly in complex cases involving transnational criminal organizations, international judicial cooperation, and multiple defendants.

Operation Geppo 21, coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Trieste, led in 2022 to the seizure of approximately four tonnes of co***ne and the arrest of 38 individuals across several countries.

The investigation was subsequently accompanied by a related case, Coltro 23, involving the seizure of a further 700 kilograms of co***ne.

In these complex criminal proceedings, I represent Angel Maria Martinez Quiroz, a Colombian national involved in the Geppo 21 case.

According to press reports, Martinez Quiroz and Ramón Abel Castaño Castaño, who had already been convicted on appeal in the initial proceedings, were released from custody following the expiry of the statutory time limits for pre-trial detention.

This development highlights another essential principle of criminal procedure: pre-trial detention is subject to legally established time limits and must not be confused with the enforcement of a criminal sentence.

The case therefore raises several significant legal issues:

• Judicial impartiality and the guarantees of a fair trial.

• Statutory limits on pre-trial detention and the protection of personal liberty.

• The complexity of criminal defense in international drug trafficking proceedings.

• Coordination between judicial authorities and jurisdictions across different countries.

Throughout my professional experience, major international criminal cases have consistently demonstrated the importance of distinguishing the seriousness of criminal allegations from the obligation to uphold procedural safeguards.

Combating international drug trafficking requires effective investigative measures and rigorous cooperation between States.

However, it is precisely in the most complex criminal proceedings that respect for the rule of law must remain non-negotiable.

Because the strength of justice is measured not only by its ability to prosecute crime, but also by its commitment to guaranteeing every defendant a fair trial.

21/10/2026

THE MINISTRY SAYS NO. THE COURT ANNULS THE EXTRADITION DECREE. WHAT WAS LEFT UNEXAMINED?

A cooperation proposal dismissed as too vague. A ministerial decree annulled. And a national security issue that required further examination.

This is the central issue in the case of Roman Yuryevich Khlynovskiy, a Kazakh national sought by the United States in connection with allegations of serious cybercrime.

The case, covered by Dagospia, concerns the decision of the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio (TAR Lazio) to annul the decree by which Italian Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio had authorized his extradition.

Original article published by Dagospia (in Italian):

https://m.dagospia.com/politica/toghe-rifilano-schiaffone-nordio-il-tar-annulla-decreto-estradizione-hacker-490621

Following rulings in favor of extradition by the Bologna Court of Appeal and the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation, our client had written to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Minister Nordio, expressing his willingness to cooperate with Italian institutions in the field of cybersecurity.

The Ministry considered the proposal too vague to warrant further examination.

But this was precisely where the Administrative Court intervened: a matter potentially involving national security cannot be dismissed without consulting the competent authorities.

Together with my colleague Francesca Monticone, I worked on the defense and the legal challenge that led to the annulment of the ministerial decree of 17 February 2026.

The issue was not to determine whether our client was guilty or innocent of the charges brought in the United States.

The question was whether such a sensitive decision had been preceded by a genuinely thorough examination of the relevant circumstances.

The Administrative Court required a fresh assessment, without definitively ruling out the possibility of future extradition.

In statements reported by the press, I also announced my intention to seek our client's immediate release from custody.

This case reinforces a principle that I consider fundamental to my professional practice:

International judicial cooperation must never become an automatic process. Every decision affecting individual liberty must be based on adequate scrutiny and full compliance with the law.

Because defending an individual also means insisting that public institutions exercise their powers with rigor, responsibility, and transparency.

The rule of law does not stand in the way of justice. It is what gives judicial decisions their legitimacy.

19/10/2026

ITALIAN ADMINISTRATIVE COURT ANNULS EXTRADITION AUTHORIZATION TO THE US: WHEN JUDICIAL REVIEW CHANGES THE COURSE OF AN INTERNATIONAL CASE

Can a ministerial extradition order be annulled even after the courts have given their approval? Yes. And that is precisely what happened in a case handled by my law firm.

The Regional Administrative Court of Lazio (TAR Lazio) annulled the decree by which the Italian Minister of Justice had authorized the extradition to the United States of Roman Yuryevich Khlynovskiy, a Kazakh national accused by US authorities of serious cybercrimes.

This significant decision was achieved through the defense work I carried out alongside my colleague Francesca Monticone.

Read the case reported by Corriere della Sera (in Italian):

https://www.corriere.it/cronache/26_ottobre_18/il-tar-annulla-il-si-di-nordio-all-estradizione-dell-hacker-voluto-dagli-usa-offri-aiuto-all-italia-fu-ignorato-874fbd14-360e-4553-b3b8-584e36b41xlk.shtml

What was the decisive issue?

Our client had expressed his willingness to cooperate with Italian institutions by offering his expertise in cybersecurity and the fight against cybercrime.

According to the Administrative Court, this proposal required a proper examination, including the involvement of the competent national security authorities.

That assessment had not been carried out.

The result: the ministerial decree was annulled.

The ruling does not constitute an acquittal of the charges brought in the United States, nor does it definitively rule out future extradition. However, it requires a fresh assessment in accordance with the procedures established by law.

Throughout my professional practice, I have consistently upheld a fundamental principle:

International judicial cooperation must never become an automatic process. Even the most sensitive decisions must be properly reasoned, thoroughly examined, and subject to judicial review.

Because defending an individual's rights does not mean shielding that person from justice.

It means insisting that justice must always operate within the law.

17/10/2026

12/10/2026

REQUESTING EXTRADITION: WHEN THE RIGHT TO DEFEND ONESELF CHANGES THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN INTERNATIONAL CASE

What if it is the detained individual who requests their own extradition?

We are accustomed to thinking of extradition as a procedure through which one State requests that another surrender a wanted individual.

Yet some cases reveal just how complex international criminal law can be.

On 26 November 2024, Il Messaggero reported on the case of Oscar Manuel Herrejón Caballero, a former Mexican banking executive arrested in Rome in June of that year in connection with criminal proceedings initiated in Mexico.

Original article published by Il Messaggero (Spanish-language version):

https://www.ilmessaggero.it/es/detencion_y_extradicion_de_un_exbanquero_mexicano_en_italia-8502800.html

According to the newspaper, Herrejón, facing allegations involving sexual violence and procedural fraud, denied the accusations and sought extradition to Mexico in order to demonstrate his innocence.

The publication also referred to the work of the International Lawyers Associates legal team and a decision by the Rome Court of Appeal concerning a request for house arrest.

The central issue, however, extends far beyond this individual case.

When a person becomes involved in international criminal proceedings, the question is not simply which State has the authority to prosecute.

It is also about the conditions under which that individual can effectively exercise their right to a defense.

In my comments reported by Il Messaggero, I emphasized the importance of ensuring transparency, independent oversight, and respect for the fundamental rights of detained individuals.

I consider this principle essential.

The seriousness of an accusation cannot replace the judicial determination of criminal responsibility. Nor can cooperation between States come at the expense of individual legal safeguards.

Extradition proceedings require a careful assessment of the applicable legal framework, detention conditions, procedural guarantees, and the rights afforded to the person concerned.

An individual's willingness to face criminal proceedings in their home country may be a significant factor in the case, but it does not eliminate the need for the legal safeguards and reviews required by law.

The true strength of justice lies not only in its ability to pursue criminal allegations, but also in its ability to do so without compromising the rights of those whose guilt has yet to be established.

Because the right to a defense is not an obstacle to justice.

It is one of the fundamental conditions that make justice legitimate.

09/10/2026

INTERNATIONAL EXTRADITION: BETWEEN A MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT AND ACTUAL SURRENDER STANDS THE LAW

In international criminal law, a news report announcing a person's imminent extradition is not equivalent to a final judicial decision.

On 3 May 2025, the Mexican news outlet Noticias SLP published an article concerning José Miguel Maya Zulaica, who was then involved in extradition proceedings from Italy to the United States in connection with alleged drug-trafficking offenses.

Original article published by Noticias SLP (in Spanish):

https://noticiasslp.com/bebe-mike-sera-extraditado-a-texas-esta-semana/

The publication referred to the defense work of Francesca Monticone, an attorney at my law firm, and reported on the possibility of his surrender to U.S. authorities in the following days.

This case highlights an essential legal distinction.

The announcement of an extradition, the decision authorizing it, and its actual ex*****on are legally distinct stages.

Each stage requires compliance with the applicable procedures, fundamental safeguards, and the respective powers of the authorities involved.

Throughout my professional career, I have learned how important it is to distinguish the speed of media reporting from the procedures and responsibilities of the justice system.

In international proceedings, particularly when the allegations are extremely serious, the role of the defense is to ensure that every stage is conducted in full accordance with the law.

Cooperation between States is essential. But its effectiveness cannot be separated from respect for individual rights.

Because even when an extradition is carried out, legal safeguards do not lose their importance.

08/10/2026

BEYOND PUBLIC RECOGNITION: FACTS TELL THE STORY OF A PROFESSIONAL CAREER

The Italian online magazine Lifestyleblog.it has published an interview with journalist José Compagnone, author of the book “Alexandro Maria Tirelli. Gli anni prima del diritto penale. Idee e scelte che hanno forgiato un uomo” (“The Years Before Criminal Law: Ideas and Choices That Shaped a Man”), dedicated to my personal and professional journey.

Read the original article (in Italian):

https://www.lifestyleblog.it/blog/2026/10/alexandro-maria-tirelli-compagnone-prima-del-diritto-penale/

In the interview, Compagnone discusses his examination of numerous judicial proceedings, reconstructing outcomes achieved in Italy and in cases involving several countries, including Iran, Russia, China, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

His research highlights a principle I consider fundamental: a lawyer’s professional reputation should not depend on media exposure, but on the quality of their work and results that can be independently verified.

In international criminal law, every case carries a particular responsibility. Behind an extradition request, an international arrest warrant or a dispute involving different legal systems, there are individuals, fundamental rights and judicial decisions that can profoundly change a person's life.

I have always believed that legal expertise, professional independence and respect for fundamental legal safeguards must take precedence over any pursuit of public recognition.

That is why I particularly appreciate José Compagnone’s approach: examining documents, judicial decisions and verifiable facts, while allowing readers to assess the evidence and draw their own conclusions.

I thank José Compagnone for his thorough research and Lifestyleblog.it for bringing attention to this publication.

Because ultimately, public recognition can be cultivated. Professional credibility must be demonstrated.

07/10/2026

DEFENDING A PERSON DOES NOT MEAN DEFENDING THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THEM

In criminal law, there is one principle that should never depend on the popularity of a case or the seriousness of the allegations: every person has the right to an effective defense.

In February 2025, the Mexican newspaper La Pelotera MX published an article concerning the defense of José Miguel Maya Zulaica in extradition proceedings initiated at the request of the United States.

Maya Zulaica, arrested in Rome in November 2024, faced allegations by U.S. authorities in connection with alleged drug-trafficking offenses.

Original article published by La Pelotera MX on 6 February 2025 (in Spanish):
https://lapelotera.mx/2025/02/06/abogado-de-los-narcos-defiende-a-bebe-maya-zulaica/

His legal representation in the Italian proceedings was entrusted to Francesca Monticone, an attorney at my law firm.

The article uses particularly strong language to describe both the accused and my professional activity. Yet this kind of narrative provides an opportunity to recall a fundamental distinction.

A lawyer does not defend the alleged crime. A lawyer defends the person and ensures that State power is exercised in accordance with the law.

This principle applies to ordinary criminal proceedings and becomes even more important in cases involving extradition, organized crime and international drug trafficking, where media attention can precede — and sometimes influence — public perception of judicial proceedings.

Defense means examining the evidence and legal documents, challenging what must be challenged, safeguarding procedural rights, and ensuring that every decision is made by a court on the basis of law rather than media pressure.

Throughout my professional career, I have handled complex proceedings, often involving extremely serious allegations and multiple States.

The rule, however, remains the same:

The seriousness of an allegation does not diminish the right to a defense. On the contrary, it makes the rigorous, independent and competent exercise of that right even more essential.

Because the right to a defense does not exist only for simple cases or for those whom public opinion considers deserving.

It matters most when defending someone is difficult.

06/10/2026

BEFORE CRIMINAL LAW: WHEN A PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY IS TOLD THROUGH FACTS

There are moments in a professional life when it is worth reflecting on the path travelled — not through public recognition or media appearances, but through the work, choices and responsibilities that have shaped it.

The Italian newspaper Il Roma has published an interview with journalist José Compagnone, author of the book “Prima del diritto penale. Idee e scelte che hanno forgiato un uomo” (“Before Criminal Law: Ideas and Choices That Shaped a Man”), dedicated to my personal and professional journey.

Original article published by Il Roma on 5 October 2026 (in Italian):

https://www.ilroma.net/news/cultura/865685/compagnone-tirelli-ho-studiato-i-suoi-processi-i-risultati-raccontano-qualcosa-che-la-televisione-non-racconta.html

What I find particularly meaningful is the approach chosen by the author.

Compagnone did not simply seek to portray the public image of a lawyer. Instead, he examined judicial proceedings, studied individual cases and reconstructed their outcomes through documents, court decisions and verifiable facts.

From international extradition cases to proceedings involving multiple legal jurisdictions, the book explores a significant part of my professional experience. But it also seeks to understand what comes before the profession itself: the experiences, encounters, difficulties and choices that contribute to shaping an individual.

The interview highlights a principle that I deeply believe in:

The value of a lawyer’s work should not be measured by media visibility, but by the seriousness with which each case is approached and the ability to protect the rights of those they represent.

In international criminal law, every case presents its own particular complexities.

Behind an extradition request, an international arrest warrant or proceedings involving different States, there is more than a technical legal issue.

There are individuals, personal freedoms, fundamental safeguards and decisions that may profoundly affect someone’s life.

This human dimension of the law has always guided my work.

I particularly appreciate José Compagnone’s decision to approach this story from an independent perspective, grounded in analysis rather than celebration.

Because a professional journey, if it is to be credible, must be open to examination, discussion and verification.

I thank José Compagnone for his research and for choosing to tell a professional story through something I consider essential: the facts.

I also thank Il Roma for bringing attention to this publication.

In law, as in life, it is our choices and actions that leave the most meaningful legacy.

02/10/2026

SERIOUS CHARGES DO NOT MAKE EXTRADITION AUTOMATIC: BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL ARREST AND SURRENDER, THERE IS JUDICIAL REVIEW

When a person is arrested in Italy in connection with an international criminal matter, the existence of particularly serious charges brought abroad does not automatically result in their surrender to the requesting State.

This is a fundamental principle of extradition law and, in my professional practice, one of the most important aspects to clarify.

A case handled by my law firm provides a concrete example of how this mechanism operates.

In November 2024, José Miguel Maya Zulaica was arrested in Rome in connection with proceedings arising from a request by the United States.

The U.S. authorities accused him, among other things, of offences related to drug trafficking. According to press reports, the U.S. arrest warrant had been issued in June 2023 by the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

The international news outlet Infobae reported on the case and the extradition proceedings in an article published on 22 January 2025.

Original Infobae article (in Spanish):
https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2025/01/22/interpol-detiene-en-italia-a-mexicano-senalado-de-traficar-droga-para-el-cartel-del-golfo/

The article also reported that Maya Zulaica was represented in the U.S. extradition proceedings by lawyer Francesca Monticone, of my law firm.

This case highlights a fundamental distinction.

Charges brought by a foreign State, an international arrest warrant, and a decision on extradition are legally distinct stages.

An arrest is not a finding of guilt.

Nor does the existence of an international request, by itself, automatically result in the surrender of the person to the requesting State.

In extradition proceedings, the Italian court must independently determine whether the conditions established by domestic law and the applicable international instruments have been met.

In this context, the role of the defence is not to debate the seriousness of the allegations in the media.

It is to examine the legal basis of the request, the documentation submitted, compliance with procedural safeguards, the conditions governing surrender, and the protection of the fundamental rights of the requested person.

This distinction becomes even more important in cases involving particularly serious allegations and significant media attention.

International judicial cooperation must be effective, but extradition cannot be reduced to an automatic process.

Between a State’s request and the surrender of a person, there is a judicial procedure.

It is within that procedure that judicial scrutiny and the work of the defence ensure that international cooperation operates in accordance with the law and with respect for fundamental rights.

The seriousness of an allegation may explain why a State seeks extradition. It cannot, by itself, determine whether extradition should be granted.