Switzerland's federal constitution prohibits the extradition of its own citizens without their consent, a policy rooted in historical distrust of politically motivated justice and the principle of national sovereignty. This means Swiss nationals facing charges abroad are generally not sent to other countries for trial or sentencing; instead, Swiss authorities may pursue the case domestically, offer legal assistance, or enforce foreign sentences if the alleged offenses are also punishable under Swiss law. This contrasts with countries like the United States, Canada, and the UK, which do extradite their nationals, and differs significantly from the European Union's system, which allows for the surrender of citizens between member states via the European Arrest Warrant. An exception to Switzerland's rule exists for the International Criminal Court (ICC), allowing for the extradition of Swiss citizens for the most serious international crimes, though any sentence would still be served in Switzerland.