How to challenge a red notice of Interpol through CCF
Red Notice can become a serious obstacle for international travel, conducting business, and access to banking services. However, even with the notice, you are not deprived of the right to defense. It is possible to challenge it through the CCF Commission — an independent body authorized to review complaints about violations of personal data handling rules and abuse of the notification mechanism.
Our legal team specializes in cases related to wrongful or politically motivated notices and provides full support for the procedure of submitting an appeal to the CCF. We analyze the legal basis of the notice, prepare evidence of violations of Interpol’s Statute, and accompany the client until a decision is made. We are ready to defend your rights in the international legal field.
What is a Red Notice of Interpol?
Red Notice is an official international request for the search and provisional detention of a person declared wanted in one of the member countries of the Organization. However, contrary to popular belief, a Red Notice does not have the legal force of an international arrest warrant. It does not have independent legal authority and does not obligate states to automatically detain the person. The decision to detain always remains with national authorities.
The Red Notice is used for:
- Informing law enforcement agencies worldwide that a specific individual is wanted in a criminal case;
- Initiation of temporary detention pending the commencement of the extradition procedure;
- Warnings from states about the possible presence of a suspect on their territory.
The purpose of the notification is to help the initiating state ensure the extradition or deportation of a person hiding abroad. Interpol does not interfere in the legal validity of the case and does not assess whether the rights of the accused have been violated unless a separate complaint is submitted to the CCF Commission.
As a rule, the notification contains the following information:
- Full name of the wanted person;
- Photograph (if available);
- Citizenship and date of birth;
- Legal qualification of a crime;
- Brief description of the accusation or sentence;
- The requested action (for example, temporary detention for the purpose of extradition).
The notification may also include information about the contact person in the National Bureau of Interpol of the country that initiated the search.
What is CCF and how does it work?
Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files is an independent body within the structure of INTERPOL, created to protect human rights within the framework of international police cooperation. It performs a supervisory function and ensures that all information stored and processed in INTERPOL’s databases complies with legal norms, ethical standards, and the organization’s internal rules.
CCF was created in accordance with the Interpol Constitution and operates independently of the General Secretariat. The Commission consists of lawyers, experts in data protection and international law, who are appointed by the General Assembly of Interpol but work autonomously.
The commission is divided into two bodies:
- Supervisory Body — monitors compliance with data processing rules in the Interpol system;
- Advisory Body — considers individual appeals from persons who believe that their rights have been violated.
The main functions of the Commission include:
- Consideration of complaints from individuals regarding red notices, diffusions, and other actions violating Interpol’s rules;
- Verification of compliance with the rules for storing, processing, and deleting personal data in the system;
- Decision-making regarding the adjustment, blocking, or deletion of data if it violates the Charter or Regulations of Interpol;
- Consulting the General Secretariat on the legal correctness of data processing.
Thus, the CCF is a legally significant tool for protection against abuses, including in cases of politically motivated persecution through Interpol. Each appeal is considered individually, and the decision of the CCF is mandatory for execution by the Interpol Secretariat.
Who can submit a request for the removal of a Red Notice?
Any person in relation to whom a Red Notice has been published has the right to submit an official request for its removal. This can be either an accused or a convicted individual if they believe that the notice violates INTERPOL’s rules or international legal standards. This is especially relevant for those who believe that the notice is connected to politically motivated persecution, lack of a fair trial, or persecution based on race, nationality, religion, or political beliefs.
The application may be accompanied by evidence of violations: documents confirming the groundlessness of accusations, a decision of an international court, refugee status, conclusions of human rights organizations. The application is submitted to the CCF Commission.
Grounds for appealing Red Notice
- Politically motivated persecution
Interpol explicitly prohibits the use of its mechanisms for political persecution. This includes cases against activists, opposition members, human rights defenders, journalists, and entrepreneurs targeted by regimes. Examples of such cases are regularly recorded in authoritarian countries. If there is evidence that a case is of a political nature, this is a significant basis for the removal of a notice. - Absence of double criminalization
According to the Rules of Interpol, the crime must be criminally punishable in both jurisdictions. If the actions imputed to a person are not considered a crime under the laws of other countries, the notice may be deemed non-compliant with Interpol’s standards. - Violation of the principle of non bis in idem
If a person has already been convicted for the same crime in another state, the principle of non bis in idem applies — prohibiting double prosecution. If there is a verdict or an acquittal in one jurisdiction, a request for a Red Notice from another may be rejected. - Risk of human rights violations
If extradition based on notification may result in cruel, inhuman treatment, torture, and an unfair trial, this is sufficient grounds for its removal. In such cases, the Commission may rely on international treaties and reports from human rights organizations. - Prosecution in civil or administrative cases
Red notices can only be used in criminal cases. If the dispute is of a civil, commercial, or administrative nature (non-repayment of a loan, breach of contract), the notice violates Interpol’s rules and is subject to deletion. - \Absence of a court decision or warrant
Red Notice requires the presence of a valid national arrest warrant. If the notice was initiated without such a warrant and only based on a preliminary investigation, it can be challenged as premature or unlawful. - Lack of legal certainty
A notification may be deleted if it contains incomplete or inaccurate information that violates the requirements for processing personal data. For example, if there is no information about the crime, date, place, or court decision.
Step-by-step process for submitting an application to CCF
The first step is an official request to the CCF for information on the existence of a notice and personal data being processed in Interpol. Even if you are certain about the existence of a notice, the CCF is obligated to confirm it officially. The request is submitted in writing and can be made either directly or through a representative.
What will be required:
- Passport or identification card;
- A brief summary of the reasons why you suspect the presence of a notification;
- Power of attorney, if a lawyer is addressing.
After receiving a response from CCF, you can submit a request for the removal of the notice. It should include a description of the circumstances of the case, an explanation of why the notice violates the Statute and rules of Interpol, and references to legal grounds.
The key part of the appeal is a substantiated dossier, which should include:
- Court decisions;
- Documents confirming refugee status or asylum seeker status;
- Materials of international organizations;
- Testimonies of witnesses and experts;
- Evidence of political motivation in the case or violations of rights.
Important! CCF evaluates not only the legal but also the humanitarian aspects of the case, so any information about possible human rights violations is significant.
The application is sent to CCF via the official postal address or electronic form. All documents must be translated into one of Interpol’s official languages (English, French, Spanish, or Arabic) and properly certified. Violation of formal requirements may result in the application being rejected without review.
After the submission of a complaint, the CCF notifies the initiating country about the start of the review, requests additional data from the state, conducts a legal analysis of the presented arguments, and may decide to delete the notification, suspend its effect, or reject the complaint. The review period may vary from several months to a year, depending on the complexity of the case and the volume of submitted materials.
CCF sends the applicant a written decision with justification. If the notice is deleted, the information is also removed from Interpol’s databases, and you have the right to demand that member countries stop its dissemination.
How does a lawyer help when filing with the CCF?
Firstly, the lawyer conducts a legal assessment of the validity of the notification, identifying possible violations of Interpol’s charter. Secondly, the specialist helps to collect and structure evidence, including court decisions, certificates of refugee status, reports from human rights organizations, and expert opinions.
The lawyer also prepares a request for access to data, drafts a legally accurate appeal to the CCF, and ensures compliance with formal requirements. All documents are translated and submitted strictly in the required format. Errors at this stage can lead to rejection without review. In addition, the attorney interacts with CCF representatives, responds to possible requests, and, if necessary, prepares additional materials.
In the event that an extradition procedure is initiated in parallel or there is already a risk of arrest, the lawyer coordinates legal defense in different jurisdictions and appeals to courts or immigration authorities. It is important to understand that the intervention of a lawyer allows not only to challenge the notification but also to minimize the consequences associated with travel restrictions, account freezes, and reputational risks.
What happens after the removal of a Red Notice?
Information about the notice is deleted both from Interpol’s centralized system and from the national databases of member countries. This means that the threat of detention when crossing the border no longer exists. Banks and financial institutions that rely on Interpol’s lists also lose grounds for blocking accounts and refusing services.
In most cases, a previously restricted individual gains the opportunity to travel again, participate in international events, and interact with business partners abroad. Moreover, the CCF decision can be used as an argument in national courts and immigration cases, confirming the political or unlawful nature of previous persecution.
It is important to note that the removal of the notification does not mean automatic amnesty or the closure of the criminal case. The initiating country may continue the investigation but will no longer be able to use Interpol channels. In any case, this is a significant step towards restoring reputation, legal security, and normalizing life.
If the notification affected the status in the immigration case, the court may review previous decisions. Lawyers can also send additional requests to law enforcement agencies of other countries to cease processing outdated information.
FAQ
How to get rid of the red notification?
To achieve the removal of a red notice, it is necessary to contact the CCF Commission — an independent body that reviews complaints about violations of Interpol’s rules. The applicant must prove that the notice violates the principles of Interpol’s Constitution. Preparing a well-reasoned application and gathering evidence is a key stage that directly affects the outcome. The Commission makes its decision based on the submitted materials and may require Interpol to delete the notice and all related data from its databases.
Are all red notices of Interpol public?
No. Although many red notices are published on the official Interpol website, a significant number of notices remain non-public. Countries can request that the information not be disclosed, and in this case, the notice will only be accessible to the competent authorities of member states. This means that a person may not be aware of their status in the Interpol system until they encounter a border restriction, arrest, or account freeze. If there is suspicion of a notice, a request can be submitted to the CCF for access to the data.
How long does the CCF process take?
Formally, yes — any person can submit an application to CCF independently. However, in practice, the procedure requires strict compliance with formal requirements, a deep understanding of Interpol’s regulations, and the ability to correctly present evidence. Mistakes at the submission stage can lead to a refusal for consideration. Therefore, in most cases, it is recommended to involve lawyers specializing in international law and Interpol cases. Professional legal assistance significantly increases the chances of success.
Can I challenge a red notice on my own?
Formally, yes — any person can submit an application to the CCF independently. However, in practice, the procedure requires strict compliance with formal requirements, a deep understanding of Interpol regulations, and the ability to correctly present evidence. Mistakes at the submission stage can lead to a refusal for consideration. Therefore, in most cases, it is recommended to involve specialized lawyers. Professional legal assistance significantly increases the chances of success.
