INTERPOL Lawyer: Assistance in Matters Involving the International Criminal Police Organization

The International Criminal Police Organization was established to unite the efforts of law enforcement agencies in participating states in the fight against crime. Its headquarters are located in Lyon, France. INTERPOL organizes international searches for wanted persons and coordinates the work of NCB officers (National Central Bureaus). Alexander Ovchynnykov provides clients with legal assistance in INTERPOL matters relating to international child abduction and criminal law, including extradition. His qualifications and the support of partner law firms in different countries make it possible to address virtually any issue, even highly sensitive ones.

Specific Features of Legal Support for Clients

Information concerning the international search for a person suspected of a criminal offense is entered into INTERPOL’s database. From that moment, the person is assigned what is commonly referred to as a Red Notice. To obtain access to information in the database, an application must be made to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files. Alexander Ovchynnykov can assist with this process.

He will prepare a request for:

• access to information;
• correction or deletion of data.

A lawyer’s submission to INTERPOL is prepared in one of the organization’s working languages and in accordance with the applicable requirements.

Some more complex cases require additional applications. An INTERPOL lawyer can prepare and submit requests for:

• temporary suspension of a Red Notice, including on political grounds;
• urgent consideration of a submitted request and other related matters.

Extradition is another area in which lawyer Alexander Ovchynnykov works. The system for surrendering wanted persons to requesting states is not perfect. There are situations in which extradition mechanisms are used to persecute political opponents or seize businesses. An INTERPOL lawyer will protect the interests of a person facing such circumstances and help restore justice. A client subject to extradition will receive a full range of legal services. Where necessary, Alexander Ovchynnykov will apply for political asylum or challenge extradition before the Strasbourg Court.

How INTERPOL Notices Work

INTERPOL uses a special system of color-coded notices. These notices are circulated to dozens of countries at the same time and may provide a basis for action by police, border authorities, and other government agencies. Each notice is a signal with a specific purpose: to seek arrest, locate a person, warn of a threat, or recover stolen property.

Red Notice
Used when a state seeks to locate and arrest a person for subsequent extradition. The basis is a criminal case or an existing conviction. If a Red Notice appears in INTERPOL’s database, the person comes to the attention of the competent authorities of all member countries.

Blue Notice
Used when the objective is simply to locate a person, who is not necessarily a suspect. The person may be a witness, a victim, or someone of interest to an investigation. The purpose is to establish the person’s location and obtain information.

Green Notice
Used when a person is known to pose a potential threat to public safety. It concerns individuals who have been involved in criminal activity or are considered likely to engage in it.

Yellow Notice
Used to locate missing persons and help identify people who are unable to identify themselves for various reasons, including children, elderly persons, and people with injuries or mental health conditions.

Black Notice
Used when a body has been found but the person’s identity cannot be established. It helps authorities contact other countries in case someone there may be searching for the person.

Purple Notice
Focused on criminal methods. It contains information about methods used to conceal evidence, transport drugs, commit forgery, and carry out other schemes. It helps law enforcement agencies understand what they may encounter.

Orange Notice
Used when there is a potential threat, whether from a dangerous substance or a person. For example, it may concern a suspect capable of committing a terrorist attack or the reported use of an explosive device.

Special UN Notice
Issued to provide information about individuals and companies subject to sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council. UN notices follow a special protocol.

Stolen Works of Art Notice
INTERPOL also works to protect cultural heritage. If paintings, sculptures, or other valuable works of art are stolen, a separate notice may be issued to help locate them around the world, from auctions to private collections.

New in 2025 — Silver Notice

In January 2025, INTERPOL introduced a new Silver Notice as part of its toolkit. It responds to the need to combat financial crime. Where a person is suspected of holding assets obtained through criminal activity — real estate, businesses, vehicles, or bank accounts — an international request can now be initiated using this notice. The Silver Notice is currently operating as a pilot. Its purpose is to gather information about assets and lay the groundwork for their seizure and recovery. It concerns cases involving corruption, money laundering, fraud, environmental crime, and other offenses.

Diffusion — an Alternative to Notices

In addition to notices, countries have another tool: a diffusion. A country itself chooses the states to which the diffusion will be sent, and it may not undergo the same rigorous legal review as a notice. This mechanism is used frequently, especially when a rapid response is required but there is not enough time or sufficient grounds to issue a Red Notice.

What Does This Mean for an Individual?

If a Red Notice or diffusion has been circulated, the risk of detention is real. It may occur at an airport, when crossing a border, at a bank, or at a consulate when submitting documents. Once a person is detained, extradition proceedings begin. If you or someone close to you has come to INTERPOL’s attention, it is important not to panic but to act carefully and strategically. Alexander Ovchynnykov knows how to work with each type of notice and protect clients’ interests at the international level.

Questions and Answers