Types of Interpol Notice
Interpol uses a system of color-coded notices, each serving its unique function. These notices are not always related to arrest but can significantly impact freedom of movement, financial activities, and reputation. It is important to understand that behind the code color lies specific information: about a search, threat, criminal tactics, or even UN sanctions.
Each notice is not just a colorful alert but a legal mechanism that can restrict your rights, block accounts, disrupt freedom of movement, or affect your reputation. Our legal team will help determine which notice concerns you, assess its consequences, appeal the notice or achieve its removal, and protect your interests on an international level.
Understanding the Role of Interpol
Interpol is an international criminal police organization uniting 196 member countries for cooperation in combating crime. Contrary to common myths, Interpol does not have the authority to carry out arrests, investigative actions, or enforcement. Its main function is the coordination of information exchange between law enforcement agencies of different states through the secure global network I-24/7 and other communication tools.
Interpol issues notices—official alerts containing information about wanted persons, criminal schemes, security threats, missing people, and other situations. These notices serve as a guideline for member countries but are not international arrest warrants. Arrests can only be made at the initiative of national law enforcement agencies if permitted by the domestic legislation of the country receiving the notice.
It is important to understand that Interpol does not initiate investigations and does not decide who should be prosecuted. All notices originate from member countries or international organizations. This decentralized model allows for the efficient dissemination of information but also creates room for politically motivated abuses. For example, authoritarian regimes may use the notice mechanism to pressure opposition members, entrepreneurs, or former officials who have left the country.
Legal protection in such cases is extremely important: the presence of a notice can affect freedom of movement, block bank accounts, lead to a visa denial, or trigger an airport check. Understanding the true role of Interpol and responding competently to notices allows for the protection of rights and reputation within the framework of the international legal system.
Detailed description of Interpol notification colors
Each notification is marked with a color and performs a strictly defined function: from searching for criminals to warning about threats. These notices are created at the request of states or international organizations and are distributed through the secure I-24/7 system, to which the national central bureaus of Interpol are connected.
This is the most well-known and frequently used type of notice, representing an international request to establish the whereabouts and temporarily detain a person for subsequent extradition. It should be noted that a Red Notice does not have the legal force of an international arrest warrant and requires additional legal grounds for actions in a specific country. However, it has a significant impact: a person on this list may be detained when crossing a border, lose access to banking services, and face restrictions on freedom of movement.
Represents a request to establish the whereabouts, identification, or obtain additional information about a person. It is used in cases where it is necessary to determine the location, movement routes, or identity of a person significant to an investigation but not necessarily accused. This could be a witness, a suspect, or an individual possessing important information. A blue notice does not imply arrest but allows law enforcement agencies to track movements and share obtained information. It is often used as a preliminary measure before a possible escalation of the case.
The Green Notice is issued for warning purposes. It contains information about individuals posing a potential threat to public safety: repeat offenders, pedophiles, terrorists, or rapists who may continue their criminal activities abroad. Upon receiving such a notice, Interpol member countries can strengthen border control or initiate internal security measures. This is a tool of preventive protection actively used in the international fight against organized crime.
International notice about missing persons, especially minors, or individuals unable to identify themselves. It helps coordinate searches between countries and update data in case of possible border crossings. The notification can also be used to identify individuals unable to provide information about themselves.
Black notice
A black notice is used to identify unidentified bodies found within the territory of member countries. It is created if local authorities cannot determine the identity of the deceased and suspect that they might have been a citizen of another state. The notice contains anatomical characteristics, photographs, DNA data, fingerprints, dental records, and a description of personal belongings.
Orange notice
An orange alert is issued in the presence of an immediate threat to public safety. This may include information about concealed explosive devices, chemical or biological substances, suspicious objects, as well as dangerous individuals and new methods of committing crimes. It is aimed at preventing incidents, warning security service personnel, and civilian authorities.
Intended for exchanging information about criminal schemes, tactics, and technologies. It may contain descriptions of money laundering methods, techniques used by cybercriminals, smuggling methods, and other schemes of interest to international law enforcement agencies. Such notices help services adapt to new threats and act proactively.
Special notice
This is a unique type of notice issued based on decisions of the UN Security Council. It contains information about individuals or legal entities subject to international sanctions: travel bans, asset freezes, or arms embargoes. Such a notice is intended for a wide range of recipients: from border guards and police to banks and customs authorities. It serves as a link between political sanctions and specific enforcement measures.
Political abuse of the Interpol system
Interpol was created as a neutral platform for international information exchange between law enforcement agencies, without interfering in political, military, religious, and racial matters. However, with the growth of authoritarian regimes seeking to use international mechanisms to suppress dissent, the Interpol notice system is increasingly becoming a tool for politically motivated persecution.
Some states submit requests to Interpol for issuing a red notice against individuals they consider criminals, although in reality, it could be an opposition politician criticizing the current government, an independent journalist writing about official corruption, a businessman who had a conflict with state structures, a human rights defender, or an activist.
Such requests are processed as criminal cases — for example, “fraud,” “money laundering,” “abuse of trust.” On the surface, they appear legitimate, and if a deep analysis is not conducted, the notice may be approved and distributed through the Interpol network.
Particular danger is posed by politically motivated notices for refugees and individuals granted asylum. This can lead to serious violations of the principle of non-refoulement, according to which no one should be returned to a country where they may face torture, persecution, or other human rights violations. As a result, a person officially recognized as a refugee in one country may be arrested in another through Interpol and subjected to extradition to the country from which they fled.
If you suspect that you have become a target of abuse within the Interpol system, it is important to act quickly and with the support of experienced lawyers. The procedure for appealing a notice to the CCF requires detailed evidence of the political motivation behind the case, the presence of a threat of persecution, and the case’s inconsistency with Interpol’s mandate. We recommend immediately contacting a lawyer specializing in international law and Interpol cases, preparing a dossier that includes all evidence, and submitting a substantiated complaint to the CCF with attached legal documents.
How to find out if you are on the Interpol list
For a private individual, finding out whether their name is in Interpol’s databases is not an easy task. Unlike national wanted lists, the Interpol database is not fully public. However, there are several ways to verify the information.
1. Public search on the Interpol website
Interpol maintains a limited public database of notices on its official website. In this database, only a part of the notice is published. You can enter your first and last name, date of birth, and citizenship. Only data officially approved for publication is displayed. Most notices remain confidential and are available only to law enforcement agencies. However, the absence of data in the public database does not guarantee that you are not on Interpol’s lists.
2. Official request to the CCF Commission
The Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files is an independent body through which an official request can be submitted regarding the presence or deletion of data. This is the only formal way to check if your personal data is in Interpol’s system. It is necessary to submit an individual request for access to personal information.
The application must include a copy of an identity document, a detailed description of the situation, and the grounds for the request. A response is provided within 4 months, with a possible extension to 9 months. If the notice does exist, the CCF will inform whether your personal data is being processed in INTERPOL’s databases. Important: The CCF does not disclose details of the notice (e.g., the reason it was issued) unless the requesting country has granted permission.
3. Information from immigration and financial institutions
Checks through Interpol databases are actively used when crossing borders, applying for citizenship or residence permits in other countries, opening a bank account, obtaining licenses and clearances. If you are denied without explanation, experience delays in processing, or notice increased attention from security services, this may be an indirect sign of an existing notice. In such cases, it is better to consult a lawyer immediately.
4. Assistance from professional lawyers
Independent interaction with Interpol or the CCF can be challenging. Errors in submission may lead to a refusal to review the case. Sometimes, parallel representation of interests in other instances is required (for example, with UNHCR if you are a refugee). Lawyers specializing in Interpol cases can help draft a proper request to the CCF, assess the likelihood of a notice being present, if necessary — file an application for information removal, and protect the client’s interests in case of detention or an extradition request.
Understanding the grounds for challenging a notice
Interpol notices can have serious consequences: from denial of entry to arrest and extradition. However, the mere fact of inclusion in Interpol’s databases does not imply the unconditional legality of the notice. According to Interpol’s Constitution and international standards, each notice must meet a number of legal criteria. If these principles are violated, there is an opportunity to challenge it through the CCF Commission.
The most common grounds for contestation:
- Political motivation of the case: the use of criminal prosecution for the purpose of persecuting opposition, journalists, activists, or businessmen, which violates Article 3 of the Interpol Statute.
- Human rights violations: including the lack of a fair trial, torture, lack of access to a lawyer, and other violations recognized by international human rights mechanisms.
- Double criminality: an act for which a person is prosecuted must be recognized as a criminal offense in both jurisdictions.
- Private or civil-law dispute: notices should not be used for debt collection or resolution of business conflicts.
- Non bis in idem: the prohibition of repeated criminal prosecution for the same act if a person has already been convicted or acquitted.
- Statute of limitations: if too much time has passed since the alleged crime was committed, and it can no longer be prosecuted by law.
- Violation of Interpol rules: the notice contains procedural errors, submitted in violation of procedures or without the necessary documentation.
- The absence of a court decision: the notice was issued without an arrest warrant or court ruling, making it unfounded.
Each of these grounds requires professional legal assessment and justification with the attachment of evidence. Preparing a complaint to the CCF is a complex legal procedure that demands precision, a strategic approach, and a deep understanding of Interpol standards. Our lawyers will help evaluate the prospects of the case, prepare the complaint, and represent your interests at all stages of the process.
The process of deleting a notification
Step 1. Initial legal assessment of the notice
The first stage is the analysis of the notice itself and the circumstances of its issuance. This includes checking the presence of the notice and its content, assessing the legal grounds for contesting, and verifying compliance with submission procedures.
Step 2. Preparing an appeal to CCF
To file a complaint, it is necessary to fill out an official request in the form in the official language of Interpol, attach copies of the passport, power of attorney (if the applicant is a representative), evidence of violations, court decisions, recognition of refugee status, media materials, etc.
Step 3. Review of the complaint by the Commission
After receiving a complaint, the CCF checks for jurisdiction over the case, requests information from the state that issued the notice, and may request additional materials from the applicant. The review of the case may take from 9 to 18 months, depending on the complexity and number of requests.
Step 4. Decision-making
If the CCF has decided to grant the request, the notice is removed from the Interpol database, and member countries are sent a cancellation notice. The Commission may also refuse deletion, stating the reasons. In some cases, it is possible to submit a repeated request if new circumstances arise.
Step 5. Consequences of deleting the notice
If the notice is deleted, your name is removed from the Interpol I-24/7 database, and member states are informed about the inadmissibility of using the previous notice. However, it is important to remember: the case itself in the initiating country is not automatically closed. Parallel work may be required to terminate it.
Schedule a consultation today
If you encounter an Interpol notice, do not delay. Such measures can significantly restrict freedom of movement, access to banking services, and even jeopardize your safety and business reputation. It is important to understand: you are not obligated to handle this alone.
The lawyers of our team have extensive experience in cases related to Interpol notices. We will provide legal assistance at all stages: from verifying the fact of inclusion in the database to preparing an appeal to the CCF Commission. Our goal is to ensure transparent, professional, and as swift as possible protection of your rights.
We work with clients worldwide, including politically sensitive cases, extradition requests, and instances of abuse of the Interpol system. Each case is considered individually, taking into account your situation and risks.
Contact us right now to receive a personalized legal consultation from experienced specialists. Together, we will find a strategy that protects your interests and restores your freedom of movement.
