Tuesday, December 24, 2024

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"Interpol Red Notices: Mechanism, Impact, and Key Cases in Bangladesh"

Interpol Red Notice

An Interpol Red Notice is a global alert issued by Interpol to locate and provisionally arrest individuals wanted by a member country for prosecution or to serve a sentence. It is not an international arrest warrant but a request to law enforcement worldwide.


Key Points:
Key Features of an Interpol Red Notice:
1. Purpose:
2. Content:
3. Legal Nature:
4. Issuance:
5. Common Crimes Leading to Red Notices:
6. Human Rights Concerns:
7. Countries' Response:
# How an Interpol Red Notice Works
1. Request from a Member Country
2. Review by Interpol
3. Alert to Member Countries
4. Law Enforcement Action
5. Legal and Diplomatic Steps
6. Ongoing Monitoring
How Interpol Red Notices Work in Bangladesh
1. Authority Involved
2. Actions Taken
3. Legal Framework
4. Extradition
5. Challenges
Significant Cases:
1. Arav Khan (Rabiul Islam)
2. Prashanta Kumar Halder (P.K. Halder)

3. Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request



Key Points:

  1. Purpose: To aid in locating and apprehending fugitives.

  2. Content: Includes personal details, charges, and a request for provisional arrest.

  3. Legal Nature: Arrests depend on local laws; they are not binding.

  4. Issuance: Requested by member countries and reviewed by Interpol.

  5. Common Crimes: Includes serious offences like murder, terrorism, and human trafficking.

  6. Concerns: Potential misuse for political purposes, monitored by Interpol.

An Interpol Red Notice is a request by Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. It is not an international arrest warrant but an alert sent to police in member countries about a person wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

Key Features of an Interpol Red Notice:

  1. Purpose:

    • To alert authorities in member countries about fugitives sought internationally for prosecution or sentencing.

    • It facilitates cooperation among countries to locate and apprehend the individual.

  2. Content:

    • Information about the individual's identity (e.g., name, date of birth, nationality).

    • Details of the criminal charges or convictions.

    • A request to locate and provisionally arrest the individual.

  3. Legal Nature:

    • It does not have the legal authority of an arrest warrant. Arrests under a Red Notice depend on the laws of the country where the individual is located.

  4. Issuance:

    • Issued at the request of a member country or an authorised international tribunal.

    • Interpol reviews the request to ensure it complies with its rules and does not violate its neutrality.

  5. Common Crimes Leading to Red Notices:

    • Serious offences like murder, human trafficking, organised crime, terrorism, and corruption.

  6. Human Rights Concerns:

    • Some critics argue that Red Notices can be misused for political purposes or to target dissidents. Interpol has mechanisms to review and address potential abuses.

  7. Countries' Response:

    • Member countries are not obligated to arrest the individual but may do so depending on their laws and extradition treaties.

# How an Interpol Red Notice Works

Interpol Red Notices work as a mechanism for international law enforcement cooperation. Here’s a step-by-step outline of how they function:

1. Request from a Member Country

  • A member country identifies a person wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

  • The country submits a request to Interpol, including details of the charges, conviction, and supporting legal documents (e.g., arrest warrants or court decisions).

2. Review by Interpol

  • Interpol ensures the request complies with its rules, particularly:

    • Adherence to Interpol's Constitution prohibits political, military, racial, or religious interference.

    • Verification that the request does not violate international human rights norms.

  • If approved, the Red Notice is published in Interpol's secure database.

3. Alert to Member Countries

  • The Red Notice is disseminated to law enforcement agencies in Interpol's 195 member countries.

  • Some notices are publicly accessible but remain confidential for operational purposes.

4. Law Enforcement Action

  • Local authorities in member countries use the notice to identify and locate the person.

  • If the individual is found, the host country may provisionally arrest them, subject to its national laws.

5. Legal and Diplomatic Steps

  • After an arrest, the requesting country must formally seek extradition through diplomatic channels and as per treaties between the involved countries.

  • The detained individual can challenge extradition in local courts, and human rights concerns may play a role in the decision.

6. Ongoing Monitoring

  • Interpol continuously reviews Red Notices to ensure compliance with its rules.

  • Notices can be removed if they are found to violate Interpol’s guidelines or upon request by the issuing country.

This collaborative system helps track and apprehend international fugitives while respecting member countries' legal sovereignty.

How Interpol Red Notices Work in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, Interpol Red Notices function in coordination with the local law enforcement and judicial system under the framework of international cooperation. Here’s how they are managed:

1. Authority Involved

  • National Central Bureau (NCB): Interpol's National Central Bureau in Bangladesh, located within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Bangladesh Police, acts as the liaison with Interpol.

  • The NCB is responsible for receiving, disseminating, and acting on Red Notices within Bangladesh.

2. Actions Taken

  • When a Red Notice is issued and shared with Bangladesh:

    • The NCB verifies the details and alerts relevant law enforcement agencies.

    • Local authorities work to locate the individual if they are believed to be in Bangladesh.

  • If the person is found, they may be detained under local laws for extradition purposes.

3. Legal Framework

  • Bangladesh acts on Red Notices under its domestic laws and international agreements.

  • Any action, such as arrest or extradition, requires adherence to:

    • The Extradition Act, 1974 (or treaties with the requesting country, if applicable).

    • Bangladesh’s judiciary oversees extradition cases to ensure due process.

4. Extradition

  • If an arrest is made based on a Red Notice, the requesting country must formally submit an extradition request.

  • Bangladesh evaluates the request, ensuring it does not violate national laws or international human rights standards.

  • Extradition decisions involve the Ministry of Home Affairs and sometimes require court approval.

5. Challenges

  • Bangladesh only has extradition treaties with a few countries. In the absence of a treaty, extradition is handled on a case-by-case basis.

  • Concerns such as political misuse of Red Notices or human rights violations in the requesting country may influence Bangladesh's decision to act.

Significant Cases:

Interpol Red Notices have played a significant role in Bangladesh's efforts to apprehend individuals involved in serious crimes. Here are some notable cases:

1. Arav Khan (Rabiul Islam)

  • Background: Rabiul Islam, known as Arav Khan, is the owner of Arav Jewellers in Dubai. He is a fugitive accused in the murder case of Mamun Imran Khan, a former inspector of the Special Branch of Bangladesh Police.

  • Interpol Involvement: In March 2023, Bangladesh Police requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice against Arav Khan. Interpol accepted the request and issued the notice, listing him among the wanted individuals. citeturn0search2

  • Current Status: Arav Khan remains at large, reportedly residing in Dubai. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend and extradite him to Bangladesh to face charges.

2. Prashanta Kumar Halder (P.K. Halder)

  • Background: P.K. Halder is a former banker accused of embezzling over 102 billion Bangladeshi Taka (approximately $1.2 billion) from various financial institutions in Bangladesh. Dubbed the "Sultan of Swindle," he fled the country to evade arrest.

  • Interpol Involvement: Bangladesh sought Interpol's assistance, leading to the issuance of a Red Notice against Halder. He was subsequently arrested in May 2022 in Ashoknagar, India, by Indian authorities. citeturn0search15

  • Current Status: Following his arrest, discussions between Bangladesh and India have been underway regarding his extradition to Bangladesh to face legal proceedings.

3. Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

  • Background: Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, fled to India in August 2024 following mass protests that ended her 15-year rule. She faces multiple charges, including crimes against humanity, related to her tenure.

  • Interpol Involvement: In November 2024, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice for her arrest. The Bangladesh government has formally sought her extradition from India. citeturn0news13

  • Current Status: As of December 2024, Sheikh Hasina remains in India. The extradition request is under consideration, with human rights organisations urging fair trial guarantees. citeturn0news12

These cases highlight Bangladesh's reliance on Interpol's Red Notice system to pursue individuals accused of serious crimes, demonstrating the importance of international cooperation in law enforcement.

navlistBangladesh Seeks Extradition of Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (turn0news12,turn0news13,turn0news14)

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