Interpol Notices Are Not All the Same
When Interpol is mentioned, most people immediately think of the Red Notice—the best-known alert used to request the provisional arrest of a person for extradition. However, Interpol actually issues eight distinct types of notices, each serving a specific legal and operational function within the international cooperation of over 190 member countries.
Understanding the differences between Interpol notices is essential to assessing their legal impact and preparing for any action required in the event of an international alert.
Red Notice: What It Means and How It Works
The Red Notice is used to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. While it is not an international arrest warrant, it can lead to detention depending on the laws and discretion of the country involved. Unfortunately, it has also been used for political purposes, going beyond its intended legal scope.
Blue Notice: Monitoring Movements
This type of notice allows law enforcement to collect information about a person’s location and travel patterns. It is typically used during ongoing investigations to monitor suspects or individuals of interest across borders.
Green Notice: Warnings About Dangerous Individuals
Interpol’s Green Notice is used to alert police worldwide about individuals considered threats due to past criminal behavior. It supports crime prevention by helping countries track potentially dangerous people moving internationally.
Yellow Notice: Locating Missing Persons
The Yellow Notice helps locate missing persons, particularly minors or vulnerable individuals unable to identify themselves. It plays a crucial role in cross-border cooperation in missing persons cases.
Black Notice: Identifying Unidentified Bodies
When a body is found under suspicious or criminal circumstances and cannot be identified, the Black Notice is issued to help determine the person’s identity through global police cooperation.
Orange Notice: Public Threat Alerts
This notice is used to warn about potential threats to public safety, including bombs, dangerous materials, or disguised weapons. It aims to prevent large-scale incidents through international awareness.
Purple Notice: Sharing Criminal Methods
Interpol uses the Purple Notice to disseminate information about new or emerging criminal techniques. Examples include cybercrime methods, drug concealment tactics, or smuggling procedures.
Interpol–UN Special Notice: Global Sanctions
This special category is reserved for individuals subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions. These cases often involve terrorism, arms trafficking, or severe transnational crimes.
Legal Implications: What to Do If You Are Subject to an Interpol Notice
Being targeted by an Interpol notice can result in serious consequences, such as loss of freedom of movement, border detentions, and permanent records in law enforcement databases. It is crucial to take proactive legal steps if flagged.
Check Your Legal Status
You can formally request information to verify whether your name appears in Interpol’s databases and determine the nature of any existing notice.
Challenge a Red Notice
If a Red Notice is issued abusively—such as for political reasons or in violation of human rights—it can be challenged before the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF), with the goal of having it deleted.
Avoid Unjustified Arrests
Those at risk of being detained abroad due to an Interpol alert must act quickly. Seeking specialized legal assistance and developing a preventive defense strategy are vital to protect one’s rights internationally.