Interpol uses a system of color-coded alerts for rapid information exchange and effective international police cooperation, in combating cross-border crime. The most serious and widespread of these is the Interpol Red Notice. These cards help countries coordinate their efforts to investigate crimes, track down suspects and prevent security threats.
According to SSF Commission records, Interpol red notices were issued for the year 2023. Of this total, about 1,000 notices were deleted. In addition, almost half of the challenged red notices were found to be non-compliant with Interpol rules and standards. This confirms possible cases of abuse of the Interpol system. If you suspect that you have been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, seek legal defense from an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A qualified professional will prepare a detailed legal strategy and assess your chances of having your data removed from the Interpol red corner notice list.
An Interpol red notice is an official request by an Interpol member country to search for and temporarily detain a person for subsequent extradition. In other terms,it is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.Although it is often perceived as an arrest warrant, legally it is not. Rather,under the interpol’s constitution, it is a signal that provides information about a person who is wanted for serious prosecutable offenses.
Who are the subjects of Red Notices? Red Notices are issued for fugitives or wanted persons either for prosecution or to serve a sentence in relation to serious ordinary law crimes such as murder, rape and fraud. This follows criminal proceedings in the country issuing the request. This is not always the home country of the victim.
The Interpol notices includes basic information about the wanted person to facilitate identification and possible apprehension:
Identification information: full name, possible aliases, date and place of birth, nationality, photograph;
Physical description: height, weight, hair and eye color, scars, tattoos and other special features;
Legal information: description of the crime or charge, summary of the circumstances of the case, legal qualification of the crime under the law of the initiating country, national arrest warrant.
When a wanted person is found, law enforcement authorities may temporarily make provisional arrest and issue an international alert requesting country to detain him or her and initiate extradition proceedings. The notification itself does not oblige countries to make an arrest, no valid extradition treaty exists but allows a diplomatic request for provisional arrest and detention while the extradition request is pending. Even if the person has not been detained, countries can track his or her movements.
A red notice significantly restricts freedom of movement and affects the international criminal police organization and reputation of the wanted person’s criminal activities. In order to protect your rights and prevent the misuse of this legal mechanism, it is important to seek legal support as soon as possible. Our Interpol red notice law firm can verify the existence of the a person pending extradition notice through the appropriate authorities, file a request with the CCF to remove the Red Notice, and protect the interests of the wanted person process representing them in extradition proceedings.
How does Interpol Red Corner work?
The law enforcement authorities of the initiating country submit a request for a red notice to the Interpol General Secretariat. If the law enforcement systems’ request for infamous red notice is approved, the notice becomes available on the closed list for law enforcement use in participating countries.
A red notice or colour coded notices gives law enforcement authorities the authority to temporarily detain a person. However, it is up to each participating country to decide whether it is appropriate to arrest the suspect.
The requesting country after initiating the notification must then submit a formal extradition request, which must comply with the Charter of the Organization, bilateral agreements and Interpol red notice regulations. Only after successful approval of extradition through the judicial process can the missing person then be handed over at the requesting country‘s request.
Interpol operates on the basis of the principles of non-interference and respect for the sovereignty of countries. The notices do not impose obligations for their execution and are subject to the domestic laws of the participating countries.
To prevent the misuse of red notices, Interpol has a Commission for Control of Files (CCF). This independent body is responsible for dealing with requests and complaints related to the notices. Anyone who believes that a red notice has been issued improperly or used in an abusive manner has the right to file a complaint with the CCF.
Interpol Red Notices by Country and Type of Crime
Interpol is the world’s largest international law enforcement organization with 195 member states: Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and many others.
Many countries actively use red notices to search for criminals associated with serious criminal offenses. For example, the U.S. most often initiates red notices to search for individuals associated with organized crime, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
The UK makes extensive use of red notices to catch individuals wanted for major economic crimes (fraud, tax crimes, and financial fraud).
France, Germany and other EU countries are actively using Interpol red corner notices to combat terrorism and violent crime. Following terrorist attacks in Europe in recent years, red notices have become a key tool for tracking individuals involved in terrorist activities.
China often uses red notice task force to track down suspects involved in economic crimes and corruption. In Latin American countries (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico), Red Notices are most often used to trace individuals involved in drug trafficking and gang activity.
Red notices can be issued for a wide range of offenses, but most often relate to the following categories that are considered to be of imminent threat:
Murder and attempted murder;
Violent offenses;
Financing, planning and execution of terrorist attacks;
Human trafficking;
Labor and sexual exploitation;
Production, distribution and sale of narcotic substances;
Money laundering;
Major financial crimes;
Cybercrime;
Smuggling and organized crime.
Red notices are advisory in nature and their implementation depends on the legislation of the participating, member country itself.
How to Know if You are a Target of an Interpol Red Notice
If an interpol red notice has been issued against you, it can lead to serious legal consequences, causing temporary detention or even arrest while crossing the border. It can also affect your business reputation, employment opportunities and even visas.
So if you suspect that you may be the subject of a notification, contact an Interpol red notice lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced professional will help to conduct a red notice check through the appropriate legal channels, assess the possible risks, provide advice on how to proceed, and liaise with the CCF Commission on your behalf.
There are several ways to check for an Interpol red corner notice in your name. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
The Interpol webpage
Interpol publishes some red notices in the public domain on its official website, but they cover only a small part of all requests.
To search for information about a red notice, you should select the “Wanted and missing persons,” section on Interpol’s official website at www.interpol.int. This section contains photos and basic information about internationally wanted persons or individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Disclaimer The Notices appearing on this website contain information that is subject to interpol’s rules and regulations, notably our Rules on the Processing of Data. The information provided in these notices may only be used for its designated purpose
Then you need to enter your name, surname or other data in the search bar. If you find your information, the notice will include basic personal information, a description of the offense, and the country that requested the notice.
However, most red notices are not publicly posted and remain available only to law enforcement agencies in Interpol and other member countries only. Therefore, even if you do not find publishing notices with your name in the public database, this does not necessarily mean that there is no notification.
The Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF)
A much more reliable way is to submit a request to the CCF Commission. The request must include your full name, date of birth, nationality and other identifying information. This will help CCF accurately identify you in its database and minimize the chance of errors in verifying your information.
Briefly state why you suspect you are under red notice. Include any known facts or legal reasons why your name may have been added to the Interpol database. You must also attach a copy of your identification document.
Requests are submitted to CCF by mail or electronically. Once the data has been verified, you will be notified whether your name is in the Interpol database and, if so, the red notice status.
This process is quite complex, requiring careful preparation of documents and a competent statement of circumstances. Therefore, it is recommended to obtain an Interpol red notice defense. A professional lawyer will help to properly prepare the request and all related documents, submit an application to the CCF on your behalf and ensure that all formalities are complied with.
Consequences of a Red Notice from Interpol
One of the most serious consequences of Red Notice Interpol is the restriction on international travel. Most countries check passenger data when crossing borders. If a person is in the Interpol Red Notice database, he or she may be detained at border control. Once the notice is confirmed, the extradition process can be initiated.
Another important consequence is the restriction of access to financial services. Banks and financial institutions check their customers through international databases and may receive information about the existence of a red notice against a person. This can cause blocking of bank accounts and assets, denial of credit or other financial services.
With a red notice, the likelihood of a visa or residence permit being refused increases significantly. Even if a person is already in another country, the authorities may revoke their permission to stay or refuse to extend their visa.
Also, an Interpol Red Notice can cause serious damage to your reputation. Employers and business partners may view the presence of such a notice as a risk factor. This leads to difficulties with employment, refusal to participate in international tenders and projects.
Therefore, it is extremely important to seek legal assistance in time to protect your rights. Our Interpol red notice law firm will help to develop an effective legal protection strategy to minimize negative consequences.
Extradition because of Red Notice
Although a red notice is not itself an international arrest warrant, it can be used to temporarily detain a suspect for the purpose of extradition.
To initiate extradition proceedings, law enforcement authorities must submit a request to INTERPOL for the provisionally arrest a person or issuance of a red notice. If the wanted person is found on the territory of another country or while crossing a border, local law enforcement agencies or authorities may temporarily detain him or her until the circumstances are clarified.
The initiating country must then file a formal extradition request confirming the arrest a person pending their extradition surrender the legitimacy of the charges and the existence of a national or international arrest warrant for. The court, immigration judge or relevant authority in the country of detention reviews the extradition request to ensure that it complies with local and international standards. If the request is granted, the process of transferring the wanted person to the initiating country begins. If extradition is refused, the detainee may be released.
Abuse of Interpol Red Notices
Some authoritarian States use the INTERPOL system to prosecute individuals on political, religious, racial or other grounds unrelated to actual criminal offenses. In such cases, red notices become an instrument of abuse, pressure and punishment rather than a mechanism for fair justice.
In a number of cases, authoritarian countries have issued Red Notices to track down and detain political opponents, journalists international human rights law and activists. Red Notices have also been used to prosecute individuals who oppose government policies. Activists, journalists and human rights defenders may be subject to criminal notices, which restrict their ability to travel, work and participate in international forums.
In some cases, red notices are used in commercial or economic disputes. For example, in a conflict between business partners or in cases of private disputes or corporate disagreements, one party may initiate a red notice under the pretext of a financial crime or fraud. This causes temporary restrictions on the movement and financial transactions of the other party, creating serious pressure in a commercial context.
How to defend against an Interpol Red Notice?
If you believe you have been the victim of an inappropriate red card, you can submit a request to the CCF to have the notice reviewed. This allows you to challenge the validity of the notice and have it withdrawn. Enlist the support of a qualified attorney to provide the necessary Interpol red notice legal advice and build a competent defense strategy for your rights.
Your request should include a copy of your identification, known details of the offense, a summary of the circumstances, and supporting evidence. The request must be written in one of Interpol’s official languages: English, French, Arabic, Spanish.
You can also try to challenge the Red Notice in a national court. It will consider canceling the notice or refusing extradition if the notice violates the principles of justice. Also, many international human rights organizations are involved in defending people who have been victims of Red Notice abuse.
Looking for Legal Advice by Interpol Red Notice Lawyers?
Our Interpol red and blue notice and law firm has tremendous experience in extradition, appealing notices and defending clients’ rights at the top international tribunal level. During the initial consultation, our lawyers will analyze your situation, assess possible risks and develop an effective strategy to minimize legal consequences. We will help you find out whether your name is in the Interpol orange notice database and assess the legal possibilities of challenging the notice.
Depending on the specific situation, we can file a complaint with the CCF, provide additional evidence of improper notification, or seek to have the notification revoked or limited. If necessary, our team of experienced professionals is ready to provide the necessary legal defense during court hearings.
Contact us today for an initial consultation and to build an effective defense strategy.
Dmytro Konovalenko
Senior Partner, Attorney-at-law, admitted to the Bar (Certificate to practice Law #001156)
Lawyer specializing in extradition and Interpol cases, with membership in the International Bar Association. In five years of practice, Dmitry has defended clients against persecution by law enforcement agencies in the United States, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Russia and other countries. He has successfully applied measures to prevent a manhunt at early stages and specializes in defending in complex cases involving economic, political and military charges.
Red Notices do not have any legal weight. They are a way for law enforcement agencies to share information and talk to each other, but they don't require member countries to arrest or extradite the people in the issue.
Can an Interpol Red Notice lead to an international arrest warrant?
Interpol Red Notice can lead to an international arrest warrant, but this depends directly on the laws of the particular country. Some countries may refuse to act on the notification if they believe that the prosecution violates human rights. Interpol Red Notice applies to individuals who are being prosecuted or are due to serve a sentence. In legal terms, a red notice is not an arrest warrant. Therefore, countries are not obliged to detain a person hastily when they identify him or her. For example, some countries will require a national warrant or other legal procedures before arresting a person. In others, arrest is possible without a court warrant and other processes.
How long does it take to issue an Interpol Red Alert?
The issuance of an Interpol Red Notice can have different timelines. The process starts with a request submitted by the national law enforcement authorities of the country seeking the suspect. The Interpol General Secretariat then checks the request for compliance with all rules and procedures. If the check reveals no irregularities, issuance will take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. If the case is complex or additional information is needed, the processing time may increase. The volume of work and prioritization of Interpol cases also affect the speed of processing. In general, the process can take from a few days to several months.
What does Red Notice mean in Interpol?
An Interpol red notice is an official international request to search for a person, issued at the request of one of Interpol's member countries. A red notice does not have the legal force of an arrest warrant, but rather acts as a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate for the temporary detention of a person pending possible extradition.
How long does an Interpol Red Notice last?
The standard period of validity for red and green notices is 5 years. However, this figure depends on the specific circumstances. It may be revoked earlier at the request of a participating member country, or by decision of the General Secretariat. If the wanted person has not been arrested, the validity period of green notices may be extended.
How can I find out if there is a red notice against me?
Some red notices are published on the official website of Interpol. For accurate information, we recommend to contact an interpol red notice lawyer who will draft a request for access to the data to the CCF Commission.
