Portugal has blocked the extradition of a former French police officer accused of a double femicide, ruling that the country’s own judiciary holds primary jurisdiction over the case. The Coimbra Court of Appeal announced the decision on Friday, May 8, 2026, denying a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by French authorities.
Cédric Prizzon, a 42-year-old former officer and rugby player, will remain in Portuguese custody rather than being transferred to France for trial. The ruling creates a significant legal hurdle for prosecutors in Montpellier, who have been seeking Prizzon’s return to face charges related to the deaths of two women.
The decision centers on the physical location of the alleged crimes. According to the court, the acts in question were committed “entirely or in part on the national territory,” which, under Portuguese law, grants the state the authority to lead the legal proceedings. Prizzon is currently being held in provisional detention as the Portuguese legal system moves forward with its own investigation.
The Coimbra Court’s Ruling on Territorial Jurisdiction
The refusal to execute the European Arrest Warrant rests on the principle of territoriality. In international law, territorial jurisdiction allows a state to prosecute crimes committed within its borders, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator or the victims. The Coimbra Court of Appeal determined that because the evidence points to the crimes occurring on Portuguese soil, the national judiciary takes precedence over the request from France.
This legal clash highlights the complexities of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) system. While the EAW is designed to streamline the extradition process between EU member states by removing lengthy diplomatic hurdles, it is not absolute. Member states can refuse surrender if the requested person is being prosecuted for the same act in the requested state, or if the crime occurred within their own jurisdiction.
While the French prosecution in Montpellier disseminated the arrest warrant on March 25, the Portuguese courts have maintained that their own internal judicial procedures—opened against the French national—must be prioritized to ensure the integrity of the evidence and the legality of the trial process.
A Gruesome Discovery in the Bragança District
The investigation into Cédric Prizzon follows the discovery of two bodies buried in a remote area of the Bragança district in northeast Portugal. The victims have been identified as Audrey Cavalié and Angela Legobien, both French nationals.
Audrey Cavalié, 40, was the former partner of Prizzon and the mother of their 12-year-old son. Angela Legobien, 26, was Prizzon’s partner at the time of the events and the mother of their 18-month-old daughter. The discovery of the bodies in a secluded region of the northeast has turned the case into a high-profile investigation involving both Portuguese and French law enforcement.
Prizzon’s apprehension occurred on March 24 during a routine road check in the Guarda region of Portugal. This arrest took place approximately 100 kilometers south of the location where the victims’ bodies were eventually recovered, leading to a swift but complex legal battle over who should prosecute the case.
Understanding the Legal Implications of the Refusal
The refusal to extradite does not mean Prizzon will avoid trial; rather, it shifts the venue. By asserting territorial jurisdiction, Portugal is committing to prosecute the case within its own court system. For the victims’ families and the French prosecution, this may mean a different legal process, different sentencing guidelines, and a trial conducted in a different language and legal tradition.
Legal experts note that such refusals are rare in high-profile murder cases but are legally sound when the locus delicti (the place where the crime was committed) is clearly established in the requested state. In this instance, the discovery of the bodies in Bragança provides the primary physical link required for the Coimbra Court to justify its decision.
The case also underscores the role of provisional detention in cross-border crimes. By keeping Prizzon in custody, Portugal ensures that the suspect remains available for the Portuguese judiciary while the French authorities potentially collaborate through mutual legal assistance treaties to share evidence and witness testimonies.
Timeline of the Case
The sequence of events leading to the current legal stalemate is brief but critical:
- March 24, 2026: Cédric Prizzon is apprehended during a routine road check in the Guarda region of Portugal.
- March 25, 2026: The French prosecution in Montpellier issues a European Arrest Warrant for Prizzon.
- Investigation Phase: Bodies of Audrey Cavalié and Angela Legobien are discovered buried in the Bragança district.
- May 8, 2026: The Coimbra Court of Appeal officially refuses the extradition request, citing territorial jurisdiction.
The next confirmed checkpoint in this case will be the progression of the Portuguese judicial proceedings and the formal filing of charges within the Portuguese court system. Further updates are expected as the prosecution prepares its case for trial in Portugal.
Do you believe the territorial jurisdiction rule ensures a fairer trial, or does it complicate justice for the victims’ families? Share your thoughts in the comments below and share this article to keep the conversation going.