Interpol Wanted Person Diffusion
An Interpol diffusion is an informal alert used by member states to inform law enforcement about individuals wanted for crimes. Similar to a red notice but less formal, diffusions are not published on the Interpol website and are circulated through Interpol channels by the country seeking assistance for arrest and extradition.
From year to year, the Interpol system records hundreds of Interpol notices that are subject to review by the Commission for the control of Interpol files. A significant portion of the alerts do not meet the acceptance criteria and are removed from the system.
According to the Activity report of the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s files for 2022, Among the 1,054 applicants in 2022 subject to data, 653 were subject to notices, and 285 were subject to diffusions. So, what is diffusion notice, how does it work and how can you get it removed?
What is Interpol Diffusion Notice?
An Interpol wanted person diffusion refers to an informal international alert issued by a state to alert law enforcement authorities in Interpol member countries about a wanted person. It differs from an Interpol red notice in that a diffusion notice isn’t published on Interpol on behalf of the member state. However, the requesting member state can use Interpol’s channels to circulate it.
Notices issued by Interpol are made on the requests made by authorized international entities like the International criminal court (ICC) or the central bureaus of their member states. The Interpol red diffusion notice consists of standardized requests for cooperation from law enforcement authorities and alerts each corresponding to a specific purpose:
- to arrest, detain, or restrict the movements of a convicted person pending extradition or anyone accused of a criminal activity;
- to locate and trace;
- to obtain additional information;
- for identification purposes.
The conditions for sending an Interpol red diffusion are the same as the general conditions for recording data in the Organization’s police databases. A diffusion notice shall be circulated in at least one of the Organization’s working languages. As a rule, information is disseminated through the Interpol Information System directly to one or more countries, beyond the control of the Interpol General Secretariat.
We are often faced with cases where the requested country has recorded an Interpol diffusion notice in most member states, which is essentially a substitute for an Interpol Red Notice.
For example, the Interpol diffusion notice may be recorded for the following area: Zone 2 (Europe), Zone 3 (Middle East and North Africa), Zone 4 (South America), Zone 6 (North America), Zone 7 (Asia), Zone 8 (Central America), Zone 9 (Oceania)
In fact, diffusions have the same legal consequences as an Interpol red notice.
Types of Interpol Notices
So what is a diffusion notice and what are they like? There are several types, and diffusion notice meaning depends on their color. There are eight types of Interpol notices, including seven color-coded notices.
Red Notice:
Interpol red notices are circulated to help locate, arrest, and extradite a fugitive wanted for crimes to serve a sentence or face charges.
Blue Notice:
Interpol Blue notice is used to collect additional information about a person subject to an international arrest warrant. The information may include their identity, location, and details of crimes committed
Black Notice:
Helps obtain information on unidentified bodies.
Yellow Notice:
A public safety yellow notice is used to find a missing person unable to identify themselves.
Orange Notice:
Helps warn the public and international entities about a possible threat to the public, including events, persons, objects, or processes.
Purple Notice:
Helps provide and seek information on criminals’ modi operandi, concealment methods, devices, and procedures.
Green Notice:
The criminal investigation green notice helps communicate information to the public about a person’s criminal activities, which have a risk of being repeated in other countries.
Interpol United Nations Security Council Special Notice:
Helps inform Interpol’s members about a group or person subject to UN Security Council sanctions.
Interpol Diffusion vs Red Notice: What is the difference?
A Diffusion and an Interpol Red Notice have both similarities and differences. The common element is that both diffusions and notices end in a similar legal action, they can be aimed at locating a person and provisionally arrest for further extradition. However, an Interpol red notice or diffusion in itself isn’t the same as an arrest warrant.
The main difference is that an Interpol diffusion, unlike an Interpol red notice, is limited to one or more countries. That means they are not available to all Interpol member states, so you can travel to some countries without the risk of detention. However, you will never know which countries are safe and which are not.
If you want to understand Interpol rules and verify this information, legal assistance is a must. The experienced lawyers at Interpol Law Firm – Collegium of International Lawyers will prepare a petition for you to access Interpol’s files and check the Interpol information system, so you don’t have to worry about it.
How to Remove an Interpol Diffusion?
The procedure for removing an Interpol wanted person diffusion notice is similar to removing a red notice. Before filing an Interpol red notice deletion request, we analyze the case file in detail and formulate a legal strategy to increase the chances of a successful data challenge. Each case requires an individual approach, which is why we recommend that you turn to highly specialized professionals for such complex matters.
The CCF rejects any notice request that violates Interpol’s Constitution. An Interpol diffusion, blue notice, or red notice must meet admissibility requirements according to CCF regulations. This allows you to ask for a correction or deletion of a diffusion and any Interpol red notice issued against you if you believe they are illegal.
To remove a diffusion or red notice from Interpol, follow these steps:
- Ask the judicial authorities of the issuing country to delete the information with the help of a lawyer who understands Interpol’s rules.
- Request your national authorities to ask Interpol to remove your details from their databases, also with legal assistance.
- Apply to the CCF, ensuring your request meets the admissibility criteria per Interpol’s rules.
When you challenge Interpol red notice or diffusion, the Request chamber of CCF will conduct a detailed legal and quality compliance review on the matter. However, the CCF decision to reject red notice or diffusion doesn’t prevent international cooperation through other channels.
What are the requirements for Diffusion Removal Requests?
The request for data deletion must be in one of the working languages of Interpol (English, Arabic, French, Spanish, or Spanish). The request must contain a precise but brief statement of facts concerning your complaint, and the main legal instruments that you consider have been violated. The request may attach any documents provided to support your request, such as the passport or other identification documents, and power of attorney if the request is submitted by the representatives.
How to Know if You Are Subject to a Diffusion?
It’s usually difficult to know if your information is on Interpol’s alert list. But it’s important to know what is diffusion interpol notice is and what it means.
You can Request the information from CCF. The process can be challenging and requires the help of an experienced lawyer. Not only can the lawyer help you gain access to your file, but also challenge the information. Note that the process may take some time since the CCF must consult with the National central bureau (NCB) of the involved country. However, the CCF doesn’t necessarily have to get approval from the NCB if you have enough proof that your information is featured on Interpol’s files.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to check your name on the Interpol’s wanted persons’ list, as it lists only features selected types of Interpol red notice and diffusions are not published on the organization’s website, meaning you can’t find this information on Interpol’s website.
Where to Seek Legal Advice?
If you are faced with unlawful wanted person diffusion against you and believe that your rights have been violated, remember that even in the most difficult situation, we can find effective legal solutions.
Having many years of experience in challenging Interpol red notices and diffusions, we have developed our unique approach to formulating a legal strategy. We understand the practice of the Commission for the control of INTERPOL’s files and the fine line between the existing violations in this case and the Committee’s mandate to review the legality of the dissemination.
If you believe you are the subject of an Interpol red notice or any other dissemination, please contact our attorneys for professional advice.
Important information about Interpol Notices
- Removing Interpol Red Notices
- Request for access
- Preventive (pre-emptive) request
- Interpol Application for Revision
- Unfunded or Bounced cheques
- US Interpol Red Notice
- Interpol Red Notice China
- Germany Interpol Red Notice
- UK Interpol Red Notice
- Interpol Red Notice Turkey
- Interpol red notices issued by UAE
