Can Interpol Make Arrests? It’s a common question. If you’ve ever wondered what Interpol actually does, or whether its agents can arrest someone in your country. In this blog, we’ll break down how Interpol operates, its true authority, and what really happens when someone is flagged by an Interpol notice.
Important: The information below is general guidance prepared by the UAE qualified lawyers. It is not a substitute for personalised legal advice. If you believe you may be subject to an Interpol notice, consult counsel immediately.
What Is Interpol & the Role of Red Notices
Overview of Interpol’s Mission and Structure
Interpol is a cooperative club of 196 police forces, run from its General Secretariat in Lyon and linked through a National Central Bureau (NCB) in every member state. Think of it as the world’s most secure law enforcement messaging app: it shares data but never swings the handcuffs itself.
What Is a Red Notice? Legal Status and Purpose
A Red Notice is simply a broadcast that says, “We’re looking for this person—please locate and hold them long enough for extradition papers to arrive.” It rests on a domestic arrest warrant and carries whatever legal weight each country chooses to give it. It is not an international arrest warrant.
Difference Between Red Notices, Arrest Warrants & “Look outs”
| Instrument | Issued by | Legal force | Typical use |
| Domestic arrest warrant | Local court or prosecutor | Mandatory for local police | Arrest inside issuing country |
| Red Notice | Interpol Secretariat on NCB’s request | Advisory; domestic law decides | Provisional arrest for extradition |
| Look out / Diffusion | NCB to select states | Even looser; no global database | Border warning, immigration flag |
Can Interpol Make Arrests By Itself ? Clarifying the Misconception
Interpol as a Coordinating Body—Not a Police Force
No Interpol “agents” pound the pavement. Its own constitution forbids direct enforcement; it circulates information so national officers can act under home grown laws.
How Member Countries Respond to Red Notices?
Each jurisdiction scripts its own response:
- Automatic detention – UAE and several GCC neighbours treat a Red Notice as a green light to arrest.
- Judge first approach – Most EU states insist on a judicial check before cuffs go on.
- Warrant required – In the United States a separate federal warrant is obligatory.
Limitations of Interpol’s Authority Globally
Article 3 of Interpol’s constitution bans any request with political, military, religious, or racial motives. If a notice crosses that red line, the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) can delete it.
How Does Arrest via Interpol Work in Member Countries?
Domestic Arrests Triggered by Red Notices
- Where local law allows, officers detain first, and prosecutors race the clock—48 hours in the UAE, 40 days in the U.S.—to file formal extradition paperwork.
Jurisdictional Variation
- UAE – Police may hold you immediately; the Public Prosecution reviews custody under Federal Decree Law 38 of 2023.
- USA – A Red Notice alone cannot justify arrest; the Department of Justice must secure a domestic warrant.
- EU/Schengen – Officers can stop you briefly, but long term detention needs an EU Arrest Warrant or national order.
Role of Local Police vs. Interpol Liaison Officers
- The blue uniforms make the arrest; NCB liaison officers verify the notice, shepherd paperwork, and liaise with foreign prosecutors.
The Extradition Process vs. Local Arrest
- After provisional arrest, courts test four hurdles: double criminality, treaty coverage, human rights objections, and political motivation. Final surrender usually needs ministerial sign off.
Read Also : Can You Be Extradited from Dubai? A Complete Legal Guide.
Interpol in the UAE and Other High Profile Jurisdictions
Can Interpol Make Arrests in the UAE? Understanding Local Law
Only UAE police can, acting under Decree Law 38/2023. Bail is possible but rare; appeals end at the Court of Cassation.
in the EU/Schengen Zone
A Red Notice often lands in the Schengen Information System. Officers may detain briefly, but longer custody hinges on an EU Arrest Warrant and strict CJEU case law.
Red Notices in the USA, UK & Commonwealth
- USA – Must convert to a U.S. warrant; Immigration and Customs Enforcement guidance (2023) reiterates the rule.
- UK/Canada/Australia – Judges must endorse a local warrant, and political offence exceptions loom large.
Can You Be Arrested on a Red Notice Alone?
Cases Where Red Notices Are Not Enough
- U.S. statutory rules, several EU precedents, and a handful of constitutions bar arrest without a local warrant.
Requirements for Detention or Extradition Proceedings
- A valid extradition treaty
- Dual criminality (unless waived)
- Rapid judicial review
- Human rights and double jeopardy checks
How Courts Decide on Execution of Red Notices?
- Judges weigh the treaty text, the person’s refugee or asylum status, political motivations, and humanitarian risks.
What Happens After an Interpol Related Arrest?
- Rights Upon Detention
You must be told why you’re held, in a language you understand, and allowed counsel and consular help. - Temporary vs. Long Term Detention
Provisional detention lasts days or weeks; full extradition fights can stretch into months, even years, through multiple appeal layers. - Extradition Hearings, Appeals & Legal Defence
Defence teams challenge identity, treaty scope, political bias, human rights risks, and the specialty rule (extradition only for the charged offence).
Legal Defences & Challenges Against Interpol Arrests
- Challenging the Validity of the Red Notice
A petition to the CCF can suspend or erase a notice, especially where due process gaps or political motives appear. - Arguing Human Rights Violations or Political Motivation
Evidence of torture risk, unfair trials, or persecution can derail both the notice and the extradition request. - Filing for Deletion via the CCF
The CCF sits in two chambers; urgent suspensions sometimes arrive within weeks, full decisions within nine to twelve months.
What You Must Do If Named in a Red Notice?
- Check Interpol’s public list—but remember many notices remain confidential.
- Hire counsel in both the country where you live and the requesting state.
- Manage travel risk—one passport swipe can trigger detention; route planning and advance immigration advice are vital.
To understand how a warrant could affect your ability to fly, read Can You Fly If You Have a Warrant? Know The Risks.
Preventative Measures & Reducing Risk
- Monitor Interpol publications and legal industry alerts.
- Build Red Notice screening into corporate travel policies.
- Seek pre-emptive court opinions or clarifications where feasible.
If you’ve been flagged by Interpol or are concerned about international warrants, taking proactive steps is essential. Start by reading How to Get Rid of an Arrest Warrant to learn how to address the issue before it leads to legal complications.
Can Interpol Make Arrests? Explains the Truth
Interpol’s Legal Limitations
- It circulates data; it never places cuffs. Arrest power rests with each country’s police and judges.
Why Local Police, Not Interpol, Make Arrests
- Domestic statutes dictate whether a Red Notice triggers detention, bail, or no action at all.
When a Red Notice Leads to Arrest—and When It Doesn’t
- Expect arrest in treaty friendly states such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Spain; expect mere border flagging in the USA, Canada, or jurisdictions requiring a local warrant.
What to Do If You’re Named in a Red Notice – Our Legal Process
- Verify the notice with Interpol and the local NCB.
- Run parallel defences—one at the CCF, one in extradition court.
- Assemble a human rights evidence pack: UN reports, medical files, expert affidavits.
Why Choose Our Law Firm for Interpol & Red Notice Defence?
- UAE qualified advocates with rights of audience in all UAE courts
- Strategic partners in 26 jurisdictions for simultaneous filings
- Proven Red Notice removals, including a 2025 environmental activist case reported worldwide
Our Interpol lawyers specializes in handling cases related to Interpol notices, international searches, and extradition. We offer consultations, legal assistance in verifying notices, and protection of client interests in cases of detention abroad. Contact Us!
Conclusion: Understanding Interpol Arrest Potential & Your Rights
Interpol can request an arrest; it can never order one. Whether you are detained hinges on local law, treaty obligations, and the procedural safeguards available. Early, coordinated legal action—both at Interpol and in domestic courts—significantly boosts your chances of freedom.
FAQs
1- Can Interpol agents arrest someone directly in another country?
No. Only national police have arrest powers.
2- Does a Red Notice equal an arrest warrant?
No. It is a request, not a binding warrant.
3- Does every country act on Red Notices the same way?
Practice ranges from instant arrest (UAE) to simple border warnings (Canada).
4- Can you travel safely with a Red Notice issued?
Travel is risky; any border crossing may trigger detention. Seek legal advice first.
5- How can I legally contest an Interpol Red Notice?
File for deletion or correction with the CCF and litigate in local courts if needed.
6- Is being arrested on a Red Notice the same as being extradited?
No. Arrest starts the extradition process; courts still review the request.
7- Can a Red Notice be issued for political reasons?
Interpol rules forbid it, but misuse happens. The CCF can quash politically motivated notices.
8- Can Interpol make arrests in Dubai?
No. Dubai Police act under UAE law; Interpol only supplies information.
9- What is the Red Notice for Interpol?
It is the highest level notice seeking provisional arrest for extradition, based on a domestic warrant.
Nothing in this guide constitutes individual legal advice. Always consult qualified counsel regarding your specific circumstances.