Advertisement
Explainers
ChinaPolitics

What’s an Interpol red notice and what power does it wield over wanted Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui?

We break down the process of how a red notice works

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
A screen grab from the Interpol website shows some of the Chinese citizens for whom red notices have been issued. Photo: Handout
Nectar Gan

The International Criminal Police Organisation, known as Interpol, issued a red notice for Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui at the request of China on Tuesday.

Guo, who was placed under an arrest warrant by Chinese police in April 2014 for bribing the country’s deputy spy chief and has since fled overseas, said on his Twitter account that he was currently in the United States. The US does not have an extradition treaty with China.

We look at what an Interpol red notice is and how it works.

What is an Interpol red notice?

An Interpol red notice is a request to locate and provisionally arrest someone pending extradition. It is issued at the request of a member country of Interpol or an international tribunal based on a valid national arrest warrant.

Advertisement

When a red notice is published, it informs all 190 Interpol member countries that the person is wanted based on an arrest warrant issued by a country or an international tribunal.

What happens after a red notice is issued?

Police all around the world are alerted as the red notice is sent to all 190 Interpol member countries.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x