Interpol

Red notices, like other types of Interpol notices, play an important role in maintaining international law and order, but in practice they are not always used as intended. In some cases, these tools become a means of governmental pressure and are used to persecute individuals for political, personal, economic, or military reasons.
Such practices can lead to unjustified arrests, detentions, and restrictions on freedom of movement.

What is an Interpol search?

Interpol is an international organization that coordinates cooperation between law enforcement agencies of different countries. Upon the request of one country, a notice (most often a Red Notice) may be issued, which effectively limits freedom of movement and may lead to arrest when crossing the border or during a routine check.

How to find out if you're wanted by Interpol?

The publicly available information about wanted individuals published on Interpol’s official website is regularly updated but remains subject to certain limitations. We do not recommend relying solely on the absence of search results about yourself in this database. The most accurate and up-to-date information about your status can only be obtained by submitting a request to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF). If you wish to clarify your status with Interpol, we are ready to assist you with preparing the necessary request and obtaining an official response from the CCF.

Legal Check in the INTERPOL Wanted Database

We will collect the information and provide an official response to your request regarding whether your data is present in INTERPOL’s database.

Types of Interpol Notices

Interpol uses a color-coded notice system. Notices are standardized international messages used to share information among law enforcement agencies of 195 member countries. Each notice has its own color, purpose, and scope, which enables an effective response to various threats and international security situations.

Main types of notices:

Red Notice
Used to locate individuals wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence. It is essentially an international request for provisional arrest with a view to extradition.
Green Notice
Issued to provide warnings and criminal intelligence about persons who have committed criminal offenses and are likely to repeat these crimes in other countries.
Orange Notice
Used to warn of imminent threats to public safety such as disguised weapons, explosives, or other dangerous materials.
Blue Notice
Used to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a crime.
Yellow Notice
Used to locate missing persons, including minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves.
Black Notice
Used to seek information about unidentified bodies found in a member country.
Purple Notice
Used to provide information about modi operandi, objects, devices, or concealment methods used by criminals.
Special Notice
The UN Security Council Special Notice is issued under UN sanctions regimes and relates to individuals and entities suspected of terrorism, terrorist financing, or other threats to international security.

Interpol Red Notice: What it is and Why it is Used

An Interpol Red Notice (sometimes called a red card) is an international alert issued in cases where there is a risk of a suspect fleeing. It plays a key role in bringing fugitives to justice and greatly facilitates the process of extradition.

A Red Notice is an official communication sent to law enforcement agencies of all Interpol member countries. It notifies them that the individual should be located and provisionally arrested pending extradition.

Main requirements for issuing an Interpol Red Notice

In order for Interpol to issue a Red Notice, the requesting country must meet strict criteria. These conditions are in place to prevent abuse of the international alert system and to protect human rights.

Legal basis
A valid national arrest warrant or judicial decision must exist regarding the wanted person.
Seriousness of the offense
A Red Notice can only be issued for serious crimes such as murder, terrorism, major financial crimes, and others under international criminal law.
Presence outside the requesting country
The person must be abroad or there must be a reasonable belief that they have left the territory of the issuing country.
Compliance with Interpol’s rules
The notice request must not violate Interpol’s Constitution and regulations. In particular, notices based on political, military, religious, or racial motives are prohibited.
Provision of evidence
The requesting country must present sufficient factual materials to justify the necessity and validity of the Red Notice.
Risk assessment for human rights violations
Interpol may reject a request if there are grounds to believe that publishing the notice would lead to human rights violations — for example, in cases involving evidence of torture, unfair trials, or political persecution.

Typically, a Red Notice contains the following information:

Identification data:

Photograph;
General physical description (height, build, tattoos, etc.);
Fingerprint data;
ID and citizenship document numbers;
Other information aiding more accurate identification.

Legal information:

Nature of the criminal charge;
Legal basis for the case (laws referenced);
Information about the arrest warrant and other legal documents.

Interpol Diffusion

A diffusion is a form of international alert used for the same purposes as a notice but with a different submission procedure. Unlike official notices, diffusions are sent directly by one Interpol member country to selected other countries without involving the General Secretariat.

In essence, a diffusion serves the same function as a Red Notice: it alerts law enforcement in other countries of a request to detain a specific person. However, unlike a Red Notice, a diffusion is not officially published by Interpol.

Despite procedural differences, the consequences of a diffusion may be similar to those of a Red Notice, including arrest and extradition.

How to stop unlawful persecution through Interpol?

The Commission for the Control of Interpol's Files (CCF) is responsible for ensuring lawful processing of personal data and compliance with Interpol regulations. It handles requests for access, correction, or deletion of data held by Interpol. Each case is reviewed individually to assess the legitimacy of the data and any potential rights violations.

Submitting a request to the CCF is the most effective way to obtain official information and initiate the appeal process.

Deletion of data from Interpol’s database is carried out through an official request to the CCF. This request must be well-reasoned and supported by evidence, such as court rulings, official documents, or other materials.

Grounds for submitting a CCF request may include: politically motivated prosecution, rights violations, lack of legal basis for arrest, mistakes, or inaccurate information.

If you or your loved ones are subject to an Interpol alert, it is crucial to seek qualified legal support as soon as possible. We provide comprehensive assistance with delisting, cancelling Red Notices, and protecting our clients' rights internationally.

How We Can Help

We provide full legal support for the process of removal from unlawful international wanted lists, including:
Legal analysis of the circumstances and documents that served as the basis for declaring the person internationally wanted;
Preparation and submission of a request to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files (CCF);
Collection and presentation of evidence of violations committed against the client;
Appealing politically motivated notices;
Ensuring local protection of the client's interests in courts and institutions of various levels.