International search by Interpol: what you need to know

International search by Interpol is a procedure that allows law enforcement agencies from different countries to cooperate in the search and detention of persons who are wanted for criminal offenses.

The declaration of a person in international search is a right, not an obligation of law enforcement agencies. The decision to declare a person in search is made on the basis of an assessment of the following criteria:

• The existence of sufficient evidence to suspect a person of committing a crime that is subject to international cooperation.
• The possibility of a person hiding from justice, including by leaving the country.
• The danger that a person poses to society, including the risk of repeated criminal offenses.

To declare a person in international search, an investigator or prosecutor submits a request to the Ukrainian Interpol Bureau. The request must provide the following information:

• Surname, name, patronymic of the person.
• Date and place of birth of the person.
• Information about the place of residence or stay of the person.
• Information about the crime committed.
• Information about why the person is hiding from justice.

The Ukrainian Interpol Bureau considers the request and makes a decision to publish the person’s search card in the Interpol database. The search card can be of two types:

• A red card is the most serious type of search card, which means that the person is subject to arrest for the purpose of extradition.
• A blue card is a search card that is used to establish the whereabouts of a person.

After the publication of the person’s search card in the Interpol database, law enforcement agencies of all Interpol member countries have the right to detain a person who is wanted and report it to the Ukrainian Interpol Bureau.

In the event of a person being declared in international search, a criminal lawyer can help protect their rights and interests by appealing the decision to declare the person in international search or providing the person with legal assistance in the event of their detention in another country.

The success of protecting a person who is in international search depends on many factors, including the qualifications of the lawyer and the circumstances of the specific case.

The law firm “Grandliga” has the experience and qualifications to provide effective protection of the rights and interests of persons who are in international search.

We offer the following services:

• Appealing the decision to declare a person in international search.
• Representing a person in law enforcement agencies in Ukraine and other countries.

Contact us for a consultation. We will help you protect your rights and interests.