Judgment_paragraph 39 · Criminal proceedings against IR (C-649/19)

39Furthermore, the issuing of a European arrest warrant could result in the arrest of the requested person and, therefore, affects the personal freedom of that person. The Court has held that, with regard to proceedings relating to such a warrant, observance of fundamental rights falls primarily within the responsibility of the issuing Member State. In order to ensure observance of those rights – which may lead a judicial authority to decide to issue a European arrest warrant – such an authority must be able to refer questions to the Court for a preliminary ruling (see, to that effect, judgment of 25 July 2018, AY (Arrest warrant – Witness), C‑268/17, EU:C:2018:602, paragraphs 28 and 29).