Which countries are not part of Interpol?

Interpol is the largest police organization in the world, uniting 196 member countries. Its key mission is to facilitate cooperation between law enforcement agencies of different states in combating transnational crime. Interpol’s headquarters is located in Lyon, France.

Interpol does not have its own operational powers and does not carry out arrests. Its role lies in coordinating the actions of national police forces, exchanging information, and supporting investigations. Key areas of activity:​

Each member country has a National Central Bureau (NCB), which interacts with the General Secretariat and other countries.

Interpol unites 196 countries from all regions of the world:​

This makes Interpol one of the most representative international organizations, surpassing even the UN in the number of participants. The full list of member countries is available on Interpol’s official website.

Despite universal recognition, not all countries and jurisdictions of the world are part of the Interpol system. There are several states and territorial entities that are officially not recognized as participants of Interpol:

One of the most common reasons why countries do not join the Interpol network is the lack of international recognition and political resistance during attempts to join. Another possible reason is the unpreparedness of the legal system. Some countries do not have a fully functioning national police force capable of cooperating through international channels. In the case of South Sudan or other unstable regions, integration into Interpol is complicated due to internal destabilization.

If you or your company are facing legal issues related to international law, extradition, Interpol requests, or cross-border legal protection, our legal team is ready to provide comprehensive expert assistance.

States that are not members of Interpol may require the organization’s support: in searching for criminals, investigating transnational crimes, or exchanging operational information. A logical question arises: how can countries that are not part of Interpol request its assistance? The answer is through diplomatic and special mechanisms of interaction.

The most practical way for a country that is not a member of Interpol to gain access to the organization’s capabilities is through interaction via a third state.

The most practical way for a country that is not a member of Interpol to gain access to its capabilities is through interaction via a third state. The intermediary country sends the request to its National Central Bureau. The NCB submits the request to Interpol on its behalf, citing the need for assistance in the interests of the third party.

In cases involving humanitarian crises, international conflicts, and the fight against terrorism, the UN can serve as a communication channel between Interpol and states that are not part of its membership. Through special UN missions (UNODC, UNMIK, UNHCR), cooperation with Interpol in a specific country or region can be initiated. In the past, Interpol has provided assistance to international missions in Somalia, Libya, and other unstable countries that do not have full membership in Interpol.

Sometimes, special bilateral agreements can be signed between states, which provide for legal assistance, including through the use of Interpol channels. Agreements on mutual legal assistance (MLAT) may contain a provision for transmitting requests through Interpol on behalf of one of the parties. This is especially relevant in criminal cases related to extradition, transnational crimes, and money laundering.

Membership in Interpol provides states with broad opportunities to combat international crime. It is a strategic advantage that ensures access to unique tools and resources.

One of the most important advantages of membership is direct access to Interpol’s databases, which contain:

These databases are available 24/7 to national police and law enforcement agencies through the secure global telecommunications system I-24/7.

Thanks to its established infrastructure, Interpol ensures prompt coordination between member countries even in the absence of diplomatic relations. Each member state has a National Central Bureau — a liaison between Interpol and national authorities. Through the NCB, information exchange, requests for international searches, extraditions, monitoring of suspects, and crime prevention are carried out.

Interpol provides member countries with urgent operational assistance in:

The organization can deploy specialized Incident Response Teams to support investigations or operational actions on-site.

Membership in Interpol strengthens the image of the state as a responsible participant in international law and order and provides:

Interpol plays an important role in initiating and supporting extradition procedures. Through the notification system, member countries declare suspects wanted, track the movements of individuals involved in international cases, and coordinate the actions of law enforcement agencies across different jurisdictions.

Interpol is not a judicial body. The organization does not have the authority to arrest, judge, or accuse anyone. Interpol does not issue sentences or bring charges. It does not interfere in the internal affairs of states and cannot force a country to take any actions. All actions of Interpol take place within the framework of the legislation of member countries and based on their voluntary participation.

Thus, Interpol does not have jurisdiction in the usual sense of the term—neither criminal, nor administrative, nor any other. It is a coordination platform, not an authority body.

The most well-known tool of Interpol is the notification system, among which the most popular is the Red Notice – a request for the temporary arrest of a person for subsequent extradition. The Red Notice is often perceived as an international arrest warrant, but in essence, it is only a request and not a binding legal document.

In some countries (in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey), red notices can be used as grounds for detaining a person until further procedures (extradition, interrogation, restriction of freedom of movement). In many legal systems in Europe and North America, a notice is not considered sufficient grounds for arrest without a court order. Authorities may take the notice into account but will act strictly within the framework of national legislation.

Our legal company offers legal assessment of Interpol notices, preparation of appeals to the CCF Commission, and protection of clients’ rights in case of extradition threats. We know how to protect your interests—regardless of the country and jurisdiction.

Countries not part of the organization do not have direct access to Interpol systems, including the secure information network I-24/7, databases on wanted persons and documents, and the notification submission mechanism. However, they can seek assistance from Interpol member states, which will submit a request on their behalf.

Interpol can also provide assistance when it comes to a global threat affecting the interests of all countries, regardless of their membership status (pandemics and biological threats, transnational cybercrime, international terrorism, arms and drug smuggling). In such cases, the organization can send analytical reports, assist in identifying suspects, and provide advisory and technical support through partnership programs.

Interpol is not an international court and does not have supranational jurisdiction. Its activities are based solely on cooperation with member states and within the framework of their national legislation.

Interpol CANNOT initiate criminal cases, press charges, arrest individuals, prosecute criminals, or pass sentences. All legal actions are carried out exclusively by the authorities of the respective state. Interpol only facilitates the coordination of these actions at an international level.

Interpol provides access to the global secure I-24/7 network, through which countries exchange data on wanted persons, suspects in crimes, lost or counterfeit documents, biometric data (fingerprints, DNA, etc.). Interpol can deploy mobile teams to assist national law enforcement agencies during large-scale investigations.

Prosecution is carried out by the police within the framework of a criminal investigation, by the prosecutor’s office through initiating cases and charges, as well as by courts that deliver verdicts. If a crime has a transnational nature, it is also possible to involve the International Criminal Court or UN bodies. Interpol plays an auxiliary role in these processes, providing access to databases, notifications, and analytics.