An Interpol Attorney's Perspective on Red Notices, International Extradition and Related Matters
This post is an updated version of the original, which was published in July of 2011.
How could INTERPOL shield itself from being used as a political weapon against a corrupt country’s own people? In a previous post, I referenced an article by CNN writer Libby Lewis entitled, “Are some countries abusing Interpol?”…
In a recent post, I addressed the issue of companies in the United Arab Emirates using INTERPOL’s channels to enforce civil debts. As discussed there, it seemed for a time that the UAE had changed course and was no longer utilizing INTERPOL Red Notices to hunt down people who were wanted for bouncing “security…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
