Deletion of Interpol data on the theft case: Russia — Czech Republic — Moldova
The essence of the problem
An international police check was initiated against the client based on an Interpol diffusion published at the request of the Russian Federation. The basis was a criminal case regarding theft allegedly committed in 2015 in the Moscow region.
The client was declared internationally wanted, which entailed:
- detention on the territory of foreign states,
- initiation of extradition procedures,
- significant restrictions on freedom of movement.
Taking into account the specified circumstances, the client appealed to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) with a request to delete the information as disproportionate and not meeting the objectives of international police cooperation.
The position of the requesting state
The Russian side indicated that:
- the client is suspected of theft of property as part of a group of individuals.
- the damage amounted to 42,392 rubles;
- a warrant for arrest was issued in the case;
- the crime formally falls under criminal liability.
On this basis, the preservation of information in the Interpol system was requested.
Analysis of successful removal from the Interpol database: from argumentation to data deletion
As part of the defense in this case, a multi-level strategy was developed aimed at proving the disproportion between the international search and the severity of the alleged act. The lawyers focused on the insignificance of the offense, pointing out that it was a one-time property-related incident, not accompanied by violence and unrelated to organized crime. The minimal amount of damage became an important argument in favor of the claim that the prosecution does not meet the criteria of public danger necessary for engaging international-level resources.
Decisions of foreign states as a key factor
The decisive role in the defensive position was played by precedents of refusals in extradition. Previously, the competent authorities of Moldova and the Czech Republic had already reviewed the request regarding the applicant and rejected it. In Moldova, the decision was justified by the application of the amnesty law, whereas the Czech authorities explicitly pointed to risks of human rights violations and the evident disproportionality of criminal prosecution. Both states effectively recognized that continuing the proceedings did not align with the principles of justice and legal certainty. These facts allowed the defense to argue the absence of real international interest in the case, characterizing the use of Interpol mechanisms as excessive and unjustified.
Legal assessment and conclusions of the Commission
The Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files, after conducting a detailed analysis of the situation, fully agreed with the defense’s arguments. In its conclusion, the Commission confirmed that the alleged crime falls into the category of ordinary criminal offenses and does not possess transnational significance. Particular attention was given to the fact that retaining data about the individual in the system after two refusals of extradition directly violates the principle of proportionality. The Commission’s experts emphasized that further processing of this information contradicts Articles 12 and 35 of Interpol’s Rules on Data Processing, as it no longer serves the purposes of international police cooperation.
The final solution and its significance
The result of the review was a decision to completely delete the applicant’s data from Interpol’s files. The commission recognized that retaining the information was unfounded, and the data itself had lost relevance and necessity. This decision led to the complete termination of the international search and the removal of all records from the organization’s accounting systems.
This case is an important example that the formal existence of a criminal case is not an absolute basis for international search. Even in complex situations, Interpol mechanisms must comply with principles of reasonableness. If you are faced with a similar problem—be it the outdated nature of the case, unfounded accusations, or an already issued refusal of extradition by any state—timely consultation with experts in the field of international criminal law will help restore freedom of movement and achieve removal from the red notice.
