The issue of Russia’s request for INTERPOL’s help in locating William Browder was previously covered here. Mr. Browder sought the removal of his data from INTERPOL’s files, and his request was granted. Since that time, Russia’s interest in Mr. Browder has continued, and earlier this week, Russia requested a Red Notice in Mr. Browder’s
INTERPOL
Red Notices for bounced checks- INTERPOL as the UAE’s collection agency
For a while, it seemed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) might stop using INTERPOL’s Red Notice system as a private business dispute resolution agency for its financial institutions. In the UAE, it is common practice for financial institutions to insist that mortgage recipients supply them with a “security check,” or a check for the…
INTERPOL’s Expectation that National Central Bureaus Protect Individual Human Rights
Ever since INTERPOL rolled out its I-link system in 2009, the organization has faced the issue of how to control those member countries that submit Red Notices in violation of INTERPOL’s rules and governing texts. Remember that I-link allows member countries to directly upload Red Notices for immediate circulation to all other member countries, without…
Travel as a wanted person without INTERPOL’s involvement- the Snowden dilemma
By Michelle Estlund on
Posted in Member Country Activity
The case of Edward Snowden has not been discussed in this blog until now because INTERPOL is reportedly not involved in Mr. Snowden’s case, and no Red Notice exists in his name. The case does, however, provide an interesting opportunity to address how the relationships between multiple countries can affect a wanted person’s ability to…
Egypt’s Verdict for NGO Workers- Guilty
Readers of this blog know that one of the stories we’ve been following has been the plight of the non-governmental workers who were charged with crimes related to their journalistic activities in Egypt.
The reason that this story is appropriate for a blog about INTERPOL is that Egypt sought Red Notices for those workers…
INTERPOL’s decision to remove William Browder’s data from its files- what’s usual about it, and what’s not
Last week, INTERPOL immediately announced its decision to remove investment banker William Browder from its databases, thereby denying Russia’s request to keep Browder’s information in circulation between its 190 member countries. The background between Mr. Browder and Russian officials is found here, in an article by David M. Herszenhorn.
INTERPOL’s press statement regarding the…
Will INTERPOL admit the Palestinian Authority as a Member?
By Michelle Estlund on
The Palestinian Authority (“PA”) is seeking admission as a full member to INTERPOL.
In November of 2012, the PA was granted non-member observer state status with the United Nations. This acceptance allows for, among other privileges and obligations, the possibility that the PA might be admitted to other intergovernmental organizations, such as INTERPOL.
Should the…
INTERPOL’s Red Notice against Paul Watson- Environmentalists Bury the Hatchet for the Sake of a Common Cause
By Michelle Estlund on
As observers of INTERPOL and environmental issues know, a Red Notice has been pending against environmentalist Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (“SSCS”) since last year. INTERPOL’s press statement about the notice is here. The grounds for the Red Notice, according to INTERPOL, are the charges of ‘Breaking into the Vessel, Damage…
INTERPOL’s Role in Member Countries- No Messrs. Thompson and Thomson
In the 2011 film version of The Adventures of Tintin: the Secret ofthe Unicorn, part of the plot concerned two detectives who were “INTERPOL agents” investigating a crime. The two detectives look very similar to one another and are portrayed as more or less bumbling, ineffective agents.
This was an animated film, so…
Update on The Innocent Red Notice Client: When INTERPOL is Used Improperly by Member Countries
This post was originally published on July 18, 2011; this is an updated version.
Today’s post addresses an insightful and very personal comment that was posted here. The author of that comment noted, correctly, that INTERPOL is sometimes used to further the corrupt goals of certain law enforcement officials in various member countries. Obviously…