Last week, we addressed the issue of former premier Michael Misick of Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).  A Red Notice was issued against Mr. Misick, based on underlying allegations of money laundering and corruption.

Recently, the TCI government addressed concerns about the reason behind the issuance of the Red Notice. There has been public speculation that the Notice was politically motivated based upon a public argument between Mr. Miscik and Governor Ric Todd, precipitated by Mr. Misick’s criticism of Mr. Todd.   Governor’s Office spokesman Neil Smith, in response to those allegations, reportedly stated that the country had applied for the Notice back in February.  Therefore, goes the logic, the Notice could not have been based upon a spat that occurred in March.

Such a procedure, “applying for” a Red Notice, would be unusual these days, given that a Red Notice is now issued directly by an INTERPOL member country’s National Central Bureau (NCB).  The ability to issue a Red Notice for immediate circulation without the prior approval of INTERPOL’s offiicals in Lyon, France was made possible by the organization’s I-Link system.  

I-Link, discussed more thoroughly here, became available in 2009 and is now widely used by member countries.  While it is certainly possible that TCI requested approval for a Red Notice, and received approval over a month later, the I-Link system makes it completely unnecessary for a member country to do so. 

While the timing and manner of the Red Notice issuance is yet unclear, one thing is certain:  any Red Notice challenge on behalf of Mr. Misick will certainly include evidence of his criticism of, and later argument with, Governor Todd.

** Note to readers:  Red Notice Law Journal placed a request for verification of the grounds for the Red Notice in Mr. Misick’s name with INTERPOL’s press office.  To date, no response has been forthcoming.

As always, thoughts and comments are welcomed.