Gherson secures the blocking of an Interpol Red Notice issued on behalf of China

Gherson has successfully secured the blocking of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of China. In doing so, the firm made a number of substantive submissions to INTERPOL, including highlighting the serious breaches of UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) provisions that would arise were the notice to be processed.

Gherson provides specialist advice across INTERPOL matters, extradition, sanctions and white-collar crime issues.

What is an INTERPOL Red Notice?

A Red Notice allows a member state, through its National Central Bureau (NCB), to request that INTERPOL circulate an alert to all other member states seeking the location and arrest of a suspect or convicted person, typically for the purposes of extradition. A Red Notice is therefore a request to law enforcement authorities to locate and detain an individual pending extradition. Significantly, it is up to each member state to decide the legal status of a Red Notice, and INTERPOL cannot compel the law enforcement authorities of any country to arrest someone who is made the subject of a Red Notice.

How to remove an INTERPOL Red Notice

In our previous blog, How to remove an INTERPOL Red Notice, we explained that there are numerous ways to challenge the validity of INTERPOL Red Notices. INTERPOL is governed by the Rules on the Processing of Data (the “RPD”) and the INTERPOL Constitution (the “Constitution”). Effective challenges require an intricate understanding of the RPD and the Constitution, alongside a thorough understanding of each specific factual situation. It is therefore the case that a thorough practical understanding of the RPD and the Constitution and their application to a specific factual scenario gives the best chance of mounting an effective challenge. As such, expert legal advice is always recommended.

What happens if I attempt to travel while subject to an INTERPOL Notice?

If your name is listed on INTERPOL’s database with an international arrest warrant, there is a significant risk that you will be detained if you travel to another country.

Upon arrival at the border, the local authorities will check your passport. If your details match an INTERPOL’s alert, you may be detained and extradition proceedings may be initiated.

Extradition procedures and laws vary between countries, but travelling while subject to a Red Notice is generally not advisable.

What happens if I am being extradited?

If you have been arrested due to an INTERPOL alert and now facing extradition, we may be able to explore several legal options to help prevent your removal. These options depend on the facts of your case and the laws of the detaining country. Contact us immediately so that we can assist and explore every possible defence against extradition, such as:

1. Advice & Representations: We can offer expert advice on human rights concerns, failures of due process and safety risks of extradition to countries like China. We may be able to put forward representations on your behalf to present the best case.
2. Challenging Legality: We may be able to contest the legality of the INTERPOL notice and arrest warrant if there are procedural flaws or rights violations.
3. Claiming Asylum or Refugee Status: If you fear persecution or harm if extradited, you may be able to claim asylum or refugee status in the country where you are being held. This could protect you from extradition, and we can assist with this process.
4. Invoking Human Rights Protections: Extradition must comply with human rights laws, including the right to a fair trial, protection from torture and respect for private and family life. We can invoke these protections to attempt to prevent extradition, especially to countries known for human rights abuses, such as jurisdictions in the Middle East.

Legal remedies to prevent extradition vary depending on the case, so contact us as soon as possible to protect your rights.

How Gherson can help

Those who suspect that they may be subject to INTERPOL measures, including a Red (or Blue) Notice and diffusion, should take heed.

Gherson Solicitors continue to receive requests for expert advice and assistance from those who believe they may have outstanding financial issues. That advice tackles:

1. How best to approach a possible INTERPOL notice;
2. Preparing for potential criminal proceedings / an extradition request;
3. Preparing for a situation where a civil matter or commercial dispute could be used to initiate bogus criminal proceedings; and
4. Even exploring the possibility of instigating civil litigation proceedings to recover any misappropriated assets.

Gherson have previously written a series of blogs designed to assist those who suspect they may be subject to INTERPOL measures (including a Blue and a Red Notice):

• INTERPOL and Red Notice Challenges
• How to Remove an INTERPOL Red Notice
• INTERPOL Red Notices and Extradition
• How do I know if I am subject to an INTERPOL Red Notice?
• What is INTERPOL’s Silver Notice?
• INTERPOL UPDATE – India charges 8 people in first Interpol Silver Notice Case
• What is an INTERPOL Yellow Notice?
• What is an INTERPOL-United Nations Security Council Special Notice?
• What is an INTERPOL Purple Notice?
• What is an INTERPOL Green Notice and can it be challenged?
• What is an INTERPOL Orange Notice and can it be challenged?
• What is the purpose of an INTERPOL Blue Notice, and can it be challenged?
• What is an INTERPOL Blue Notice?

Gherson has over 36 years of experience in assisting with all aspects of INTERPOL, Red Notice challenges and extradition. If you would like to speak to us in respect of any of the issues raised in this blog or about your specific circumstances, do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice.  Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position.  Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog.  For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson.  Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

©Gherson 2025