The difference between an Interpol notice and an international arrest warrant

Thousands of people around the world live with the mistaken belief that if their name is mentioned in the Interpol database, arrest is inevitable. In reality, a Red Notice is not the same as an international arrest warrant and does not always lead to imprisonment. Understanding this difference is critically important, especially if you are engaged in international activities, under investigation, or simply happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The type of document determines your rights, defense strategy, and possible steps in the international legal field. Our legal team specializes in challenging Red Notice in the CCF Commission, as well as in legal defense in cases involving arrest warrants. Do not risk your freedom—consult with our international lawyers as soon as possible. We know how to act if you find yourself at the center of an international search.

Interpol is an international criminal police organization that helps member countries cooperate in matters of prosecuting criminals, searching for fugitives, and combating transnational crime. One of Interpol’s key tools is the so-called notices—color-coded notifications published in the organization’s database to share information between countries.

Interpol notifications are information requests or warnings sent to other member states. They do not obligate countries to take any actions but merely inform about international searches, threats, suspects, and other legal events. The response to a notification depends solely on the legislation of each specific country.

There are 8 official types of notifications, each of which has its own purpose:

Red Notice is an international alert issued by Interpol at the request of a member country, with the aim of determining the location of a suspect or an individual accused of committing a crime and subsequently requesting extradition. Despite common misconceptions, it is not an arrest warrant but merely a request to all other states to temporarily detain the individual until further legal measures are taken.

A request for publication is submitted by the law enforcement agencies of one of the member countries of Interpol. For this, the state must provide documents confirming the existence of a valid arrest warrant or sentence, as well as data allowing the identification of the person (name, date of birth, citizenship, description, photograph, fingerprints).

After verification for compliance with Interpol’s rules, the notice is placed in a secure database and becomes accessible to all member countries. In some cases, the information is also published on Interpol’s official website.

Each state has the right to independently decide whether it considers a red notice sufficient grounds for arrest. In democratic countries, detention based on a Red Notice requires a judicial procedure. Moreover, the notice can be challenged through the CCF Commission. The presence of a red notice does not imply automatic guilt. It only serves as a signal for the initiation of an international legal process. The way it develops depends on a competent legal strategy.

Diffusion is an informal type of notification in the Interpol system, which states use for urgent informing of other countries about a wanted person, a requested arrest, or other legal information. Unlike an official notice, which undergoes centralized verification and publication through the General Secretariat, Diffusion is sent directly from one national central bureau to others or international organizations.

Such messages may concern a request for the whereabouts of a person, a request for temporary detention, the collection of additional information, or the coordination of investigations.

Diffusion is created quickly and used when time is critically important. It does not require approval from Interpol, which makes it convenient for emergency response. However, precisely because of this, diffusions are at a higher risk of abuse: they do not undergo prior legal review and may contain information that violates human rights or be used for political purposes.

By their legal nature, diffusions are not an international arrest warrant, just like Interpol notices. Their legal force depends on the national legislation of the country receiving the message.

In legal practice, confusion often arises between an Interpol notice and an international arrest warrant. These instruments are indeed related to the search and detention of individuals but have different legal natures, legal weight, and mechanisms of application.

If you have become aware of the presence of a Red Notice or an arrest warrant, immediately seek legal assistance. Our team of international lawyers will help verify the existence of notices or warrants, prepare a defense strategy, interact with Interpol and state authorities, challenge the notice or achieve its cancellation, and represent your interests in the extradition process.

The fact of the presence of a red notice from Interpol does not in itself mean automatic arrest. Interpol does not have the authority to detain individuals; it only publishes information provided by member states and disseminates it among other countries. The decision to detain a person based on such a notice entirely depends on the domestic legislation of the country where the person is located.

In some states (USA, Germany, or Switzerland), a Red Notice is considered only as an informational signal, and a separate warrant issued by a national court is required for an arrest. In other countries, especially those with close cooperation with Interpol, the notice can serve as a basis for preliminary detention until extradition documents are received.

However, even in such cases, the detainee retains the right to defense, appeal, and judicial oversight. Moreover, if the country considers the notification politically motivated or violating international standards, it may refuse extradition and release the person.

A person detained under an international warrant or notice has the right to judicial review of the legality of the detention. The court examines whether procedural norms have been observed and whether there are grounds for refusing extradition. At this stage, it is extremely important to have a professional lawyer capable of appealing the detention and providing evidence of the unlawfulness of the extradition.

One of the first and most tangible effects is the loss of the ability to move freely between countries. Border services of most states, especially those part of Interpol, have access to notifice and warrants. An attempt to enter such a country may lead to detention or deportation. Even transit through an airport can result in arrest.

In some cases, notifications in Interpol are automatically or upon request accompanied by financial control measures. This may include freezing bank accounts, blocking investment and crypto assets, denial of opening new accounts in financial institutions, inclusion in lists of suspicious clients (PEP, AML-watchlists).

Even without an arrest, an Interpol notice can lead to a visa denial, the cancellation of an already issued visa, or refusal of entry. Embassies of countries check databases at the application stage. A person under a notice may be deemed a threat to national security.

If the case is accompanied by an international arrest warrant, the state in which the property (real estate, transport, bank assets) is located may initiate its arrest and confiscation. This is especially relevant in cases of charges related to financial crimes, money laundering, tax evasion.

First of all, it is necessary to find out: whether the document was officially issued, whether it is indeed active, and on what grounds. If it concerns a red notice, a complaint can be submitted to the CCF Commission. This is the only body authorized to review such appeals and, if there are grounds, delete the notice.

In the case of an arrest warrant, it is necessary to challenge its legality through the court. Almost always at this stage, the involvement of a qualified lawyer familiar with international criminal law, extradition procedures, and interaction with bodies such as Interpol, Europol, or Ministries of Justice of different countries is required. It is also possible to file a motion to suspend the notification if it violates your rights or has an explicitly political/unfounded nature. In some cases, it is possible to work with the UN, the European Court of Human Rights, or other supranational institutions.

You must contact a lawyer immediately if:

International procedures are complex, requiring strict adherence to deadlines and formal requirements. Without professional legal assistance, you risk being arrested, extradited, and losing access to your assets.