Removal from Interpol's database.

Removal from Interpol's database.

Advocates ABC Consulting Georgia have a proven track record of successfully challenging international arrests issued by Interpol. They have successfully annulled circulars such as RED NOTICES and DIFFUSIONS. Their services include submissions to the Commission for Control of Files (CCF) of INTERPOL.

— preparation and submission of requests to the INTERPOL CCF for access to information regarding the subject;

— requests for correction/deletion of data, including revocation of international arrest warrants;

— requests for precautionary measures (temporary file lockdown prior to final session);

— preventative inquiries;

— filing of appeals against decisions by the INTERPOL CCF’s Commission for Control of Files denying corrections or deletions of data.

It is crucial to seek assistance from a qualified lawyer with relevant experience in order to submit requests for access, correction, or deletion to the INTERPOL CCF’s Commission for Control of Files.

Below, we will outline a brief overview of how Interpol organizes international arrests and the types of circulars utilized to effect such warrants.

The primary mission of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is to maintain an international criminal police database and coordinate efforts among national law enforcement agencies worldwide in the fight against crime. INTERPOL’s headquarters are located in Lyon, France.

Within each INTERPOL member country, national law enforcement agencies maintain National Central Bureaus (NCBs) which serve as liaison offices with other NCBs and the Secretariat.

Based on requests from the NCB of the initiating country, information regarding the search for a specific individual is entered into the Interpol database, resulting in the assignment and publication of a particular international arrest warrant/circular.

However, despite the fact that Interpol agencies have the authority to verify information provided by NCBs before entering it into the database, in practice, it is generally considered that the information submitted by the NCB is accurate and sufficient for placing the file within the system.

Consequently, some countries, particularly those with authoritarian-totalitarian regimes, utilize Interpol to pursue individuals not for the purpose of preventing crime, but rather through exerting pressure on dissidents by fabricating criminal cases and initiating international arrests based on political views or membership in a specific social group.

Interpol Circulars (Cards)

INTERPOL utilizes nine types of circulars – notifications/circulates, seven of which are assigned specific colors:

— Red Notice – for the search and arrest of a person with the aim of extradition.

— Blue Notice – for locating a person or obtaining information about a person who is of interest in a criminal investigation (suspect, accused, victim, witness).

— Green Notice – for alerting to criminal activity by a person if that person poses a threat to society.

— Yellow Notice – for locating a missing person or establishing the identity of a person.

— Black Notice – for obtaining information about deceased bodies.

— Purple Notice – for alerting to procedures, objects, methods, or techniques used by criminals to conceal themselves, or for obtaining information about crimes.

— Orange Notice – for alerting to an event, person, object, or process that poses a threat to society and could cause damage to property or persons.

Interpol’s Special Notice – the UN Security Council Advisory Panel – is used to inform INTERPOL member states that a physical or legal person is subject to sanctions by the United Nations Security Council.

Stolen Work of Art Notice – notification regarding a stolen artwork.

Furthermore, NCB’s of INTERPOL member countries frequently utilize a circular such as Diffusion for the search and arrest with the aim of extradition. The primary difference between Diffusion and Red Notice is that the request for international cooperation is directed to specific countries chosen by the NCB of the initiating country – i.e., only the countries specified by the initiator see the request for the search and arrest of a person in their databases. Additionally, Diffusion does not require coordination with INTERPOL’s Secretariat; it is directly sent to NCBs of member states. However, for Russia, Interpol has formally complicated the placement of the Diffusion circular, requiring its alignment with the Secretariat since April 2022 – but effectively, these changes remain de jure.

Challenging an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol.

In addition to the Secretariat, General Assembly, and Executive Committee, INTERPOL’s structure includes the Control Commission for Files (CCF) – a special body within the organization that operates under the Charter of March 11, 2017.

The Control Commission for Files, specifically its Requests Chamber, handles requests concerning access to data, correction/deletion of data, as well as the implementation of preventative measures, relating to individuals subject to international arrest warrants and Interpol’s circulated notices for arrest and extradition.

The Commission, which meets four times a year, makes decisions regarding the correction or deletion of data from Interpol’s database. In certain cases, it may also make decisions between sessions.

In the event that the Commission decides to refuse correction or deletion of data related to the applicant, there is an appeal mechanism available for reviewing that decision. However, this mechanism is only accessible if certain grounds and specific requirements are met.

During the consideration of a CCF request for correction or deletion of data, there’s an option to temporarily suspend the operation of arrest warrants issued under circulars like Red Notice and Diffusion until the CCF’s final decision is made. If precautionary measures are imposed on the applicant, information about the search in Interpol’s database won’t be reflected during this period.

Preventive Request to INTERPOL.

If the applicant is not currently wanted by Interpol, but has genuine concerns that criminal proceedings may be initiated in the country against them with a subsequent possibility of international investigation, it is advisable to submit a precautionary request to the CCF. This precautionary request is submitted to ensure that upon receipt of a request from the NCB of the initiating country for inclusion of information in the Interpol database, the CCF conducts appropriate checks and implements protective measures regarding the applicant, such as withholding information from being listed in the Interpol database until the CCF’s final decision.