INTERPOL Notices: Yellow, Black, Orange, and Purple Notices

INTERPOL Issues Colour-Coded Notices At the Request of Member Countries, Each with Its Own Meaning and Implications

The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) issues various coulor-coded notices at the request of national law enforcement agencies in its member countries. From identifying missing persons to identifying wanted persons, these notices can serve a variety of different purposes.

Attorney Nick OberheidenInternational Litigation Team Lead

INTERPOL notices are key tools for international police cooperation. From tracking a person’s criminal activities to executing arrest warrants, and from locating missing persons to seeking information about unidentified bodies, they can be (and are) used for a variety of different purposes.

In essence, an INTERPOL notice is an international alert. INTERPOL issues notices at the request of national law enforcement agencies in its member countries, and notices are broadcast to member countries to alert police of their issuance. But, while an INTERPOL notice is not an arrest warrant, certain INTERPOL notices can lead to arrests—and ultimately to extradition for prosecution.

Types of INTERPOL Notices

As a result, for individuals who have been named (or whose family members have been named) in INTERPOL notices, it is important to have a clear understanding of the meaning of the notice and its implications. INTERPOL issues the following notices upon the receipt of formal requests from its member countries:

INTERPOL Red Notice

Red Notices are used, “[t]o seek the location and arrest of persons wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.” A valid arrest warrant or court decision is required for the issuance of a Red Notice, and the arrest warrant or court decision must involve an “ordinary law crime,” as opposed to one based on racial character or homosexuality, or that is politically motivated. Red Notices allow member countries to provisionally arrest individuals on behalf of other countries for purposes of facilitating extradition.

INTERPOL Yellow Notice

Yellow Notices are used, “[t]o help locate missing persons, often minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves.” Yellow Notices are published in INTERPOL’s information system to share alerts with police forces and task forces that may be able to assist with locating or identifying at-risk individuals.

INTERPOL Blue Notice

Blue Notices are used, “[t]o collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.” Blue Notices are commonly used when a country cannot request a Red Notice directly but is seeking to bring a suspect to justice through INTERPOL’s channels.

INTERPOL Black Notice

Black Notices are used, “[t]o seek information on unidentified bodies.” They are issued to identify deceased persons when they cannot be identified through other means.

INTERPOL Green Notice

Green Notices are used, “[t]o provide warning[s] about a person’s criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety.” In a sense, they are the opposite of Blue Notices. While Blue Notices seek information about suspected criminals, Green Notices provide warnings about suspected criminals’ whereabouts or activities.

INTERPOL Orange Notice

Orange Notices are used, “[t]o warn of an event, a person, an object or a process representing a serious and imminent threat to public safety.” They are similar to Green Notices, but reflect more urgent—and potentially immediate—threats to the public in one or more INTERPOL member nations.

INTERPOL Purple Notice

Purple Notices are used, “[t]o seek or provide information on modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals.” They are similar to Blue Notices in their purpose, but law enforcement agencies can request them under different circumstances.

INTERPOL Silver Notice

Silver Notices are used, “[t]o identify and trace criminal assets.” They are currently in a pilot phase, with INTERPOL seeking to determine whether they are sufficiently useful to member nations. With cross-border financial crimes becoming increasingly common—and increasingly complex—it seems likely that Silver Notices will become a permanent addition to INTERPOL’s notice system.

Seeking Modification or Removal of a Notice with the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF)

Within our INTERPOL practice, we assist clients with seeking modification or removal of INTERPOL notices when warranted. This can prove necessary for various reasons. For example, Red Notices can result in travel restrictions and financial challenges, and seeking to have a Red Notice removed can be essential for protecting an individual’s freedom of movement both domestically and abroad. Seeking modification or removal of other INTERPOL notices may be necessary for a variety of reasons as well.

Grounds for Seeking Modification or Removal

There are several grounds for seeking modification or removal of an INTERPOL notice. With that said, it is up to individuals seeking to challenge their (or a family member’s) notice to affirmatively demonstrate that modification or removal is warranted. Some examples of potential grounds for seeking modification or removal include:

Inaccuracies

Misidentification can serve as grounds to challenge an INTERPOL notice, as can other types of inaccuracies. This is true for all types of INTERPOL notices that identify individuals for purposes of pursuing criminal prosecution or for other reasons.

Human Rights Violations

Authoritarian regimes and other governments are prohibited from using INTERPOL notices to pursue prosecutions that amount to human rights violations.

Political Persecution

Governments are also prohibited from using INTERPOL notices to pursue prosecution of charges for political offenses or charges that are predominantly political in nature.

Expiration of Applicable Time Limits or Grounds for Prosecution

If the statute of limitations for the alleged crime underlying an INTERPOL notice has expired, this can serve as grounds for removal of the notice. If the grounds for prosecution have been eliminated, this can serve as grounds for removal as well.

Violation of INTERPOL’s Constitution or Rules

If a request or notice otherwise violates INTERPOL’s Constitution or INTERPOL’s rules (i.e., the prohibition on political, military, or religious interventions in Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution), this can serve as grounds for seeking modification or removal as well. Notices can also be challenged for lack of dual criminality, meaning that the offense at issue is not a crime in the country where the notice is executed.

Process for Seeking Modification or Removal

Seeking modification or removal involves filing a challenge with the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF). In most cases, it takes around six to nine months for the CCF to render a decision. Individuals seeking to challenge INTERPOL notices must strictly comply with the CCF’s substantive and technical filing requirements, and the CCF’s decisions are not subject to appeal (though it may be possible to request a “revision” in some cases), so engaging experienced legal counsel is strongly recommended.

FAQs: INTERPOL Notice Meanings and Implications

What are the different types of INTERPOL notices?

There are eight types of INTERPOL notices: Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Black, Orange, Purple, and Silver. INTERPOL also works with the United Nations (UN) to issue Special Notices when warranted. INTERPOL–UN Security Council Special Notices alert police to individuals and entities subject to UN sanctions.

Member countries can issue diffusions through INTERPOL’s information system as well. Unlike notices, diffusions are issued by member countries directly, and they involve direct communication between the issuer and the recipient.

How do countries request an INTERPOL notice?

National law enforcement agencies in INTERPOL member countries can request notices through their country’s National Central Bureau (NCB). Each member country’s NCB serves as its single point of contact for communicating with INTERPOL.

How do member countries respond to an INTERPOL notice?

Member countries have the ability to decide how to respond to an INTERPOL notice based on their own laws. This means that some countries handle INTERPOL notices differently than others. If you or a loved one has been named in an INTERPOL notice and you have concerns about how you or your loved one may be treated, you should consult with an experienced INTERPOL lawyer promptly.

Is an INTERPOL Red Notice an international arrest warrant?

An INTERPOL Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. A Red Notice is a request for international assistance with locating and detaining an individual so that the individual can be arrested and extradited for prosecution. As a result, being named in a Red Notice can still pose substantial risks, and individuals who have been named in Red Notices must be extremely careful about traveling, both domestically and abroad.

How can I get help if I have questions about an INTERPOL notice?

If you have questions about an INTERPOL notice, the International criminal defense lawyers at Oberheiden P.C. can explain everything you need to know. Our lawyers have extensive relevant experience, and we can provide the insights you need to make informed decisions about your next steps.

Schedule a Free and Confidential Consultation with an INTERPOL Lawyer at Oberheiden P.C.

If you would like to speak with an experienced INTERPOL lawyer at Oberheiden P.C., we encourage you to get in touch. To schedule a free and confidential consultation as soon as possible, call us at 888-680-1745 or tell us how we can reach you online today.

Related Pages:

INTERPOL Defense

Federal Agency International Enforcement

Defense for US Citizens Abroad

Crisis Response & Family Resources