Extradition is the official process whereby one country transfers a suspected or convicted criminal to another country. Between countries, extradition is normally regulated by
treaties. Where extradition is compelled by laws, such as among sub-national jurisdictions, the concept may be known more generally as
rendition. It is an ancient mechanism, dating back to at least the 13th century BC, when an Egyptian
Pharaoh,
Ramesses II, negotiated an extradition treaty with a
Hittite King,
Hattusili III.