Wanted by Interpol: What to Do and How to Protect Yourself from Extradition

An international search through Interpol can lead to a person being detained abroad, having their freedom of movement restricted and facing extradition proceedings. At the same time, the presence of information in Interpol’s databases does not mean that a person is automatically found guilty or must be handed over to another state. Here is how to check your status and protect your rights.

Interpol enables the international exchange of information between law enforcement agencies of different countries. One of its tools is the Red Notice. It is used to locate a person and secure their possible arrest with a view to extradition.

It is important to understand that a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. Decisions on detention are taken by the competent authorities of the specific state in accordance with its own legislation.

How can you check whether you are internationally wanted?

Some Red Notices are published on Interpol’s official website. However, the absence of a name from the public database does not guarantee that information about the person is not being processed in the organisation’s system.

To check and challenge data, you can apply to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF). It examines requests for access to personal data, as well as for its correction or deletion.

Can an international search be challenged?

Yes. Grounds for a challenge may include breaches of Interpol’s rules, inaccurate information, the use of an international search for political purposes, or the lack of a proper legal basis for processing the data.

Article 3 of the Interpol Constitution prohibits the organisation from intervening in matters of a political, military, religious or racial character.

However, simply claiming political persecution is not enough for a successful challenge. You need to provide documents and arguments that prove the breach.

How can you protect yourself from extradition?

If a person has been detained abroad, a lawyer in the country of detention should be engaged as soon as possible.

The defence may be based on procedural violations, the risk of torture or an unfair trial, the political nature of the prosecution, or other circumstances provided for by international treaties and the legislation of the country concerned.

Challenging information held by Interpol and defending against extradition are separate legal procedures. Even the deletion of a Red Notice does not always automatically end national criminal proceedings or the extradition procedure.

That is why it is important to review documents promptly, establish the grounds for the international search and build a legal position.

If you still have questions or need legal assistance and advice, contact the lawyers of the Strategic Advocacy law association.