Interpol

We have extensive experience of successfully removing Interpol Red Notices and Diffusions on behalf of politically exposed persons and high net worth individuals and their family members.

We provide clients with exceptional legal and strategic advice by bringing together in-depth knowledge of Interpol’s internal procedures with specialist international human rights experience to challenge Interpol Red Notices and Diffusions. Our lawyers have developed effective methods and strategies for challenging complex Interpol Red Notice cases. We have been engaged by hundreds of clients to challenge Interpol Notices from around the world.

We know that Interpol is vulnerable to misuse and manipulation by countries seeking to improperly pursue individuals across borders for financial and political purposes. We also understand how intimidating and restricting it can be for individuals who know, or have reason to believe, that there is an Interpol Red Notice against them or their family members. That is why we provide bespoke advice and representation packages for clients not only to address urgent situations relating to Interpol, but also in regard to associated concerns such as citizenship, reputation management, and litigation campaigns.

Rhys Davies and Ben Keith are co-founders and editors of Red Notice Monitor. The blog is an information hub on Interpol Red Notices, providing accessible and in-depth information about how Interpol Red Notices operate and the mechanisms available to individuals for removing notices and personal data from the Interpol database.

Interpol Red Notices

A Red Notice is a notification circulated through Interpol’s database to all member countries, alerting them that a specific individual is wanted for criminal prosecution or to serve a sentence. These notices contain identifying information—including name, date of birth, nationality, and photograph—along with details of the alleged offences.

Contrary to common misconception, a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. It is simply a request from one of Interpol’s member countries seeking the location, arrest, and potential extradition of a particular person. The response to Red Notices varies by country—some treat them as grounds for immediate arrest, while others view them merely as an alert system. Regardless of these differences, the issuance of a Red Notice typically results in either arrest or severe restrictions on international travel, often leading to extradition proceedings. In 2019 alone, Interpol issued 13,377 Red Notices, demonstrating the system’s extensive global reach.

Diffusions

Member countries may also request cooperation from each other through another mechanism known as a “diffusion.” Unlike Red Notices, which are processed centrally by Interpol, diffusions are circulated directly by a member country’s National Central Bureau to either specific member countries or the entire Interpol membership.

Though diffusions involve a less formal process than Red Notices, their practical impact can be virtually identical. Diffusions often trigger the same restrictions on international movement and law enforcement responses as Red Notices. This makes them an equally powerful but more flexible tool within Interpol’s system of international police cooperation.

Removal

We make requests for the removal of Interpol Red Notices and Diffusions on behalf of clients by making written submissions to the Commission for the Control of Interpol Files (CCF). The CCF decisions are made behind closed doors and there is no appeal process, so it is crucial that submissions to request the removal of a Red Notice or Diffusion are comprehensive and of a high quality. We are experienced in making requests for deletion on the grounds of human rights violations, political motivation and an absence of evidence supporting the underlying allegations.

Case Study

We provided strategic advice and representation for a high net worth individual involved in multi-jurisdictional and high profile litigation. Amongst other things, we were asked to ensure the removal of a politically motivated Interpol Red Notice. We developed a detailed communications strategy in the international media and made legal submissions to Interpol, liaising with local lawyers. We were able to demonstrate that criminal allegations underpinning the Interpol Red Notice had been manipulated by the rivals in the litigation, leading to the successful removal of the Interpol Red Notice.