A Red Notice is an international search and extradition request. Issued by INTERPOL, it aims at cross-border surveillance and extradition of persons facing serious criminal charges. However, not every Red Notice is the result of a fair trial or legal process. In some cases, it may be issued on political, personal or erroneous grounds. Therefore, it is possible to cancel Red Bulletins and INTERPOL searches that are wrongly or unjustly issued.
What is a Red Notice?
A Red Notice is not a substitute for an arrest warrant; it is a notification in which INTERPOL provides information to its member states about a specific person and requests temporary detention if that person is identified. With this bulletin, the person may be apprehended at border crossings in many countries of the world or may be subject to serious restrictions.
How to Issue an INTERPOL Red Notice?
The competent judicial authority of a country makes an application to INTERPOL for a person against whom a search warrant has been issued. This application enables the person to be searched internationally. The INTERPOL General Secretariat evaluates the application and publishes the bulletin if the criteria are met.
Publication Criteria:
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Serious suspicion of a criminal offence
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A situation requiring international co-operation
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The existence of a judicial decision of the relevant country
However, these criteria are not always applied objectively. Particularly in the case of bulletins on political cases, opposition figures or minorities, there may be violations of human rights.
Is it Possible to Lift the Red Notice?
Yes, it is possible to lift a wrongly or unlawfully issued Red Notice. This involves a specialised legal process before INTERPOL. This process is particularly important in cases where the Red Notice was issued for political, religious, ethnic or discriminatory reasons.
How Does the Red Notice Cancellation Process Work?
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Detailed examination: The content and basis of the bulletin issued against the client are examined in detail.
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Preparation of the Defence: Evidence is gathered that the person’s fundamental rights such as human rights, fair trial and freedom of expression have been violated.
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Application to INTERPOL: Formal application is made to INTERPOL’s Lyon headquarters through the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF).
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Evaluation Process: The Commission evaluates the application and, if necessary, requests defence from the countries concerned.
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Decision: If the application is justified, the Red Notice is cancelled and the person is no longer wanted by INTERPOL.
How do we help in this process?
As a team of experts in the fields of international law, human rights and criminal law, we provide effective advice on the lifting of Red Notice and INTERPOL searches. We meticulously carry out the process to protect the reputation of our clients and to ensure that they can travel freely.
In particular:
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To prove that the Red Notice was issued for political or discriminatory reasons
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Preparing defence files based on international legal norms
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We are with you at every stage of the process with our experience in effective communication before INTERPOL CCF.
In which cases can you apply?
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In cases where the accusations are unfounded
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If a bulletin has been issued due to your political opposition identity
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You have been searched without a court order
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If the sentence has been completed or the statute of limitations has expired
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If your human rights are violated
In these and similar cases, it is possible to lift the Red Notice.
What are the Legal Consequences of a Red Notice?
Although the Red Notice is issued by INTERPOL, it can be applied differently according to the domestic law of each country. Some countries recognise the Red Notice as a reason for arrest, while others consider it for information purposes only. In practice, however, persons who have a Red Notice registered:
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They may be detained at airports, border crossings or security checks,
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They may have problems in obtaining a residence permit, citizenship or visa in their country of residence,
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They may suffer serious loss of reputation in their business or social life,
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International freedom of movement may be restricted.
Therefore, the Red Notice can become not only a judicial but also a social and economic sanctioning tool.
How long is a red notice valid?
A Red Notice issued in the INTERPOL system may remain valid unless the country concerned withdraws it. However, in some cases:
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If the penalty is out of time,
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If the person is acquitted,
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If the release is found to be unlawful, it may also be removed by the CCF ex officio.
It is therefore usually not possible for the bulletin to expire automatically. A legal procedure is required for its removal.
Who is INTERPOL CCF (File Control Commission)?
INTERPOL CCF (Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files) is an independent supervisory body established to protect the rights of individuals. This commission
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Oversees the lawfulness of personal data held by INTERPOL,
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It examines complaints from individuals against practices such as the Red Notice,
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It acts as a decision-making authority in case of disputes.
Since this process has technical, legal and human rights dimensions, it is vital to prepare the application correctly and to conduct it strategically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. In which countries can I travel if I have a Red Notice?
This depends on how much the country you intend to travel to is bound by INTERPOL decisions. However, there is usually a high probability of problems in countries such as Schengen countries, USA, Canada, UK.
2. Can the Red Notice issued from Turkey be cancelled?
Yes, it can be cancelled. Even if issued from Turkey, if the bulletin is unlawful or contains human rights violations, it can be cancelled by applying to the INTERPOL CCF.
3. Can other countries see when the bulletin is cancelled?
Yes. When the Red Notice is lifted, all member states are notified through the INTERPOL system and the search record is completely deleted from the system.
The Red Notice is not only a warning, but also a serious registration system that directly affects the freedom of the individual. If this system is abused, victimisation may occur. Therefore, if you have an INTERPOL warrant issued against you unjustly, it is important to seek legal assistance immediately.
Our office acts with its experience in international law and defends your rights in the most effective way by providing tailor-made solutions for you. You can start the process by contacting us and we can pave the way to your freedom together.