INTERPOL update – Bangladesh Court reportedly requests INTERPOL Red Notice for Tulip Siddiq

It has recently been reported that a court in Bangladesh has ordered officials to request an INTERPOL Red Notice for the British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq over a corruption case linked to the allocation of government land in Dhaka.

As this would inevitably have prompted a lot of people to ask what an INTERPOL Red Notice is, this blog examines the various INTERPOL measures available.

In our previous articles we explored basic questions such as what INTERPOL is and how an INTERPOL Notice can be challenged:

• 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 an INTERPOL Red Notice?

The INTERPOL Red Notice is a tool designed to assist jurisdictions across the world with locating, detaining and returning individuals suspected to be involved in criminal activity.

INTERPOL generally publishes Red Notices on a list that is open to the public, but there are instances where a state can request that this information is not published by INTERPOL. This means that individuals may not be aware that a Red Notice has been issued in their name. In a previous article we considered the dangers of being subject to a Red Notice, the steps that individuals may take to remove the Red Notice, and how Gherson can assist.

What are the consequences of a Red Notice?

A Red Notice can have broad ranging effects, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Increased risk of arrest in any country that cooperates with INTERPOL;
• Initiation of extradition proceedings;
• Reputational damage to the individual and/or their business.

What is an INTERPOL diffusion?

An INTERPOL diffusion is an alert by an INTERPOL member country through the INTERPOL system which notifies law enforcement authorities that another country is seeking the arrest of a particular individual.

What is the purpose of an INTERPOL diffusion?

The purpose of an INTERPOL diffusion is to request law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.

What is the main difference between an INTERPOL diffusion and an INTERPOL Red Notice?

The purpose of an INTERPOL Red Notice (which, in itself, is not an arrest warrant) is to assist jurisdictions across the world with locating, detaining and returning individuals suspected to be involved in criminal activity.

Ultimately, the main difference lies in the fact that whilst an INTERPOL Red Notice is issued at the request of a member state via the INTERPOL system, a diffusion is circulated by the country itself through INTERPOL’s channels.

The crucial aspect of this difference is that a diffusion is not subject to the same INTERPOL involvement before being circulated through the INTERPOL system, and so is potentially not subject to the same scrutiny as a Red Notice.

Should a different strategy be implemented to defeat a diffusion?

Potentially, yes. Whilst the effect of a Red Notice or a diffusion will probably be the same for an individual (i.e. risk of arrest), the specific way that a diffusion is implemented means that it is potentially subject to less scrutiny and, as a result, could be more open to challenge.

What about other INTERPOL measures?

As we have previously discussed, there are also a wide range of other INTERPOL measures which we have detailed in our recent article on the various colour notices of INTERPOL.

How Gherson can help

Gherson have extensive experience in providing legal assistance to corporates and individuals who may have, or suspect they may have, outstanding issues in another jurisdiction.

Also consider other INTERPOL measures

In addition, those who suspect that they may be subject to INTERPOL measures, including a Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Purple, Special (INTERPOL – United Nations Security Council) or Yellow Notice, should take heed.

Gherson Solicitors continue to receive requests for expert advice and assistance from those who believe they may have outstanding financial issues which may involve INTERPOL. This 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 that they may be subject to INTERPOL measures (including a Blue and a 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?
• 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?

Gherson have over 38 years of experience in assisting with all aspects of INTERPOL, Red Notice challenges and extradition. We have unparalleled expertise in managing asylum and extradition requests in tandem. 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.

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