The modern system of international justice is built on cooperation between countries. Interpol and the extradition mechanism play a key role in this process. However, many still misunderstand how international searches work and how the extradition of suspects takes place. This is especially true for the countries of the Persian Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates and, in particular, Dubai.
Table of Contents
Key tasks of Interpol and how it helps the police of different countries
Interpol is an international organization coordinating police cooperation from more than 190 countries. It is not an international police force in the direct sense and does not have the authority to arrest anyone. Its main task is to facilitate the exchange of operational information between countries and coordinate the actions of law enforcement agencies in investigating international crimes.
Interpol employees do not carry out arrests. Arrests are made exclusively by the law enforcement agencies of the country where the suspect is located, based on domestic legislation. Interpol only sends notifications that allow states to be aware of who is being sought in other countries.
Interpol notifications: What do “color-coded notices” mean?
Interpol uses a notification system called “notices” for transmitting information between countries. The most well-known are the “color-coded” notices:
– Red Notice (Красное уведомление) — the most important one. It is a request for locating a person and their temporary detention for subsequent extradition.
– Blue — gathering information about the suspect’s whereabouts.
– Green — a warning about potential danger coming from a person.
– Yellow — search for missing persons or persons unable to identify themselves.
– Black — information about unidentified bodies.
Interpol wanted list – this is an internal Interpol registry that displays individuals for whom red notices have been issued. This list is not always publicly available: not all notices are published on the organization’s website, some of them are restricted for official use.
Extradition: What is it and what are its legal foundations?
Extradition is the official process of transferring a person from one jurisdiction to another for criminal prosecution or execution of a sentence. It is regulated by international treaties, bilateral agreements, and national laws.
The procedure includes several stages: a request from the initiating state, verification of the validity of the accusation, judicial review, and the final decision by the authorized bodies of the receiving party. Each country independently decides whether to satisfy the request and may refuse for a number of reasons.
There are a number of general principles observed in international practice:
– the crime must be punishable in both countries;
– a person must not be subjected to the risk of torture, the death penalty, or an unfair trial;
– extradition is impossible in the presence of political motives for the accusation.
The connection between an Interpol search and extradition
A Red Notice from Interpol often serves as a basis for the temporary detention of a suspect. However, it does not have the legal force of an international warrant and does not replace an extradition request. It is merely a signal that the person is wanted, and the final decision on detention and possible extradition is made by the state where the person is located.
Thus, a red notice initiates the process but does not determine its outcome. If the court establishes that the request violates the rights of the individual or does not comply with legal requirements, extradition will not take place. This is why the defense plays a key role from the very beginning of the procedure.
When can extradition be denied?
Even with an Interpol notice or a formal request from a foreign state, extradition may be denied. The most common reasons for refusal:
– The threat of torture, capital punishment, or inhumane treatment.
– Political motivation of the case.
– The absence of an extradition agreement between the countries.
– Citizenship of the suspect (some states do not extradite their citizens).
– The principle of non bis in idem — the prohibition of repeated prosecution for the same act.
Each case is considered individually, and refusal is possible even with an existing agreement if basic legal principles are violated.
Do the UAE (Dubai) extradite people to other countries?
Contrary to popular belief, Dubai is not a haven from extradition. Although on the internet, one can come across claims that Is Dubai a non-extradition country?, in practice, this is not the case. The UAE has a number of bilateral extradition agreements, including treaties with India, the United Kingdom, France, Egypt, South Africa, and other countries.
Even in the absence of a direct extradition agreement, extradition is possible based on the principle of reciprocity. In such cases, the requesting country provides diplomatic assurances, and the UAE independently decides whether to satisfy the extradition request.
In the UAE, the extradition procedure is clearly regulated by Federal Law No. 39 of 2006. All requests go through the Ministry of Justice, the prosecution, and the judicial system. Decisions are made taking into account evidence, the nature of the crime, and the observance of the individual’s rights.
