A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. It is a powerful tool used in international policing, but it's crucial to understand its exact nature and what it is not.
Understanding a Red Notice
Issued by Interpol (the International Criminal Police Organization) at the request of a member country, a Red Notice serves as an alert to police forces globally. Its primary purpose is to inform law enforcement agencies that an individual is wanted by a national jurisdiction for prosecution or to serve a sentence.
Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics:
- Global Request: It acts as a global appeal to law enforcement in Interpol's 196 member countries.
- Provisional Arrest: The request is for the provisional arrest of the individual, meaning the person can be detained temporarily while further legal processes, such as extradition proceedings, are initiated.
- Legal Action: The arrest is sought with the ultimate goal of extradition, surrender, or other similar legal actions, allowing the requesting country to bring the individual to justice.
Red Notice vs. International Arrest Warrant
A common misconception is that a Red Notice is an international arrest warrant. This is incorrect. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. It is a mechanism for sharing information among police forces about wanted persons. The power to arrest and extradite remains with the national authorities of the country where the wanted person is located, based on their own national laws and legal procedures.
| Feature | Red Notice | International Arrest Warrant |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Interpol (at a member country's request) | A judicial authority of a country |
| Nature | Request for provisional arrest and information sharing | Legally binding order for arrest |
| Legal Authority | Not a direct legal instrument; relies on national laws | Direct legal instrument with immediate enforceability |
| Purpose | Locate and facilitate extradition/surrender | Directly effect an arrest |
| Enforcement | Each country decides whether to act based on its laws | Typically requires recognition via national law |
How a Red Notice Works
When a member country seeks to locate and apprehend a fugitive, it submits a request to Interpol. If the request meets Interpol's rules and legal requirements, a Red Notice is issued.
- Request from a Member Country: A judicial authority in an Interpol member country issues a national arrest warrant or court order for an individual.
- Interpol's Review: Interpol's General Secretariat reviews the request to ensure it complies with its Constitution and rules, particularly regarding human rights and political neutrality.
- Dissemination: If approved, the Red Notice is then circulated to all Interpol member countries.
- National Action: Law enforcement agencies in member countries that encounter the individual can then provisionally arrest them, in accordance with their national laws, pending the formal extradition request from the requesting country.
For instance, if a person wanted for a serious crime in France travels to Canada, Canadian authorities, upon identifying the individual and recognizing the Red Notice, can provisionally arrest them based on their own domestic laws and treaties with France.
Why Are Red Notices Issued?
Red Notices are issued for individuals wanted for serious crimes such as:
- Murder
- Sexual assault
- Drug trafficking
- Organized crime
- Fraud
- Terrorism
The underlying offenses must be considered serious crimes in most Interpol member countries and should not be political, military, religious, or racial in nature, as per Interpol's Constitution.
Accessing Information on Red Notices
While many Red Notices are for internal law enforcement use, Interpol publishes a selection of public Red Notices on its official website to alert the public and sometimes to solicit assistance in locating fugitives. You can view these public notices on the Interpol Red Notices page.
In summary, a Red Notice is a critical international policing tool that facilitates global cooperation in apprehending fugitives wanted for serious crimes. It is a request for provisional arrest, not an international arrest warrant, and its enforcement relies on the national laws and sovereignty of Interpol's member countries.
