Issued at the request of individual countries to seek the provisional arrest of a person with a view to obtaining their extradition, INTERPOL Red Notices and diffusions can have a devastating impact on a person’s freedom. Where regimes experience political turmoil and high-level public corruption, there is a clear risk of INTERPOL’s systems being abused. Even where extradition proceedings are successfully resisted, there is no guarantee that the Red Notice/diffusion will be withdrawn.

Peters & Peters has acted on behalf of numerous high-profile individuals from across the globe and developed an unrivalled depth of knowledge in this evolving and complex area of law.

Our team of INTERPOL lawyers frequently engage with INTERPOL directly, setting out why a notice/diffusion should be withdrawn.

In some cases, this can simply be because a country has failed to withdraw the notice/diffusion or update its local database. However, there may be more complex fair trial and political motivation issues at play, which may mean that a notice/diffusion was improperly issued and – taking into account applicable law in the UK and the EU – ought to be withdrawn.

Over the years, our team of INTERPOL lawyers has developed a strong track record in achieving the removal of Red Notices/diffusions and in persuading INTERPOL to not to issue a Red Notice, or allow a diffusion through its systems as a pre-emptive measure. We have secured countless removals where the request has been politically motivated, incompatible with the ECHR, related to a civil, not criminal dispute and/or involved serious procedural irregularities. This has included securing the removal of a Red Notice issued by an EU member state.

Where INTERPOL notices/diffusions are not withdrawn, we engage with the relevant authorities in the UK and overseas to try to ensure that improperly motivated Red Notices are not given effect in that jurisdiction, to obtain safe passage for clients, and garner international support for their removal.

Where necessary, we utilise our global legal network to instruct lawyers based in the state issuing the request for the Red Notice/diffusion. Local lawyers liaise with the relevant law enforcement agencies to obtain information which can assist us in seeking the removal of the Red Notice/diffusion.

Where an extradition request is made, our team of in-house INTERPOL lawyers work with local law firms to ensure that the individual is not extradited.

We have also launched Interpol Alert, a dedicated blog authored by our specialist team to provide clear, authoritative and timely updates on INTERPOL‑related developments. Interpol Alert offers regular analysis of Red Notices, diffusions, policy changes and wider issues affecting international police cooperation.