HomeHow to remove an Interpol notice in the UAE?
Faced with an Interpol notice and fear arrest in the UAE? Do not risk your freedom and reputation — act immediately. Interpol notices can serve as grounds for arrest, even if they are driven by political motives or unfounded accusations. It is possible to remove such a notice, but the process requires precise knowledge of international law and experience working with the CCF Commission.
Our legal team specializes in cases related to extradition and Interpol notices in the UAE. We assess the legality of the request, prepare a well-reasoned appeal to the CCF, and support the client at all stages — from submitting the application to the complete removal of the notice from Interpol’s databases. We work confidentially, quickly, and strictly according to international standards.
How to find out if there is an Interpol notice on you?
Interpol is an international criminal police organization that does not have its own investigators or arrest powers but plays a key role in coordinating law enforcement agencies of its 196 member countries. One of its tools is notices, which contain information about wanted persons, missing individuals, threats, and sanctions. If a notice has been issued against you by Interpol, it can have serious consequences: from detention at the airport to travel restrictions and account freezes. So how can you find out if you are in Interpol’s database?
A partial notice database is available on the official website of Interpol. However, it is important to understand that many notices are not published in open access at the request of the initiating countries. Therefore, the absence of data on the website does not guarantee the absence of a notice.
There are several ways to obtain information:
- Search on the official Interpol website. You can try to find yourself in the open database by name, citizenship, or other data. However, the database is limited, and many notices are hidden;
- Appeal to the National Central Bureau. Each Interpol member country has its own NCB. Theoretically, a request can be sent there, but in practice, in most cases, such requests are ignored or rejected;
- Border or banking control. Some people find out about the presence of a notice when they are detained at the border or face refusals from banks to conduct transactions. This is an extremely undesirable and delayed method.
If you truly want to find out whether there is an Interpol notice concerning you, it is necessary to send an official request to the Commission CCF. This is an independent body within Interpol responsible for the protection of personal data and access to it. The request must include an identity document, a detailed explanation of the reason for the request, and documents confirming legitimate interest (issues with visas, detention, arrest, denial of banking services).
The review period is from 6 to 12 months. The response will be sent to the applicant in writing. Interpol does not always disclose the existence of a notice directly but formulates the response taking into account confidentiality and applicable legislation.
Why can’t you ignore the problem, even if you don’t travel?
Many mistakenly believe that an Interpol notice poses a threat only to those who actively travel. In practice, this is far from the truth. Even if you do not plan to leave the borders of your country, the presence of a notice can significantly affect your financial, legal, and social life. Ignoring the problem means exposing yourself to long-term risks.
1. Blocking or denial of banking services
Banks around the world actively use international databases, including Interpol notices, when verifying clients. As a result, you may face account freezes, refusals to open new accounts or extend services, termination of contracts with the bank without explanation. This happens especially often when attempting to open an account abroad or use an international transfer.
2. Problems with obtaining visas and residence permits
Many countries, when reviewing visa and immigration applications, automatically check the applicant against Interpol databases. Even if the notice is not related to a serious crime, it can serve as grounds for visa denial, revocation of previously issued residence permits or permanent residence permits, or inclusion in internal lists of undesirable persons. Additionally, you may be detained at the airport during transit — even if the country did not plan to extradite you.
3. Reputational losses
In the conditions of digital transparency and enhanced reputation checks, the fact of having a notice in Interpol can harm your business reputation, complicate cooperation with partners, become a reason for refusal in investment programs, citizenship, or company registration abroad. Even if the notice is erroneous or politically motivated, it is perceived as an alarming signal.
4. Risk of trial in absentia or extradition
Some countries continue criminal cases in absentia. The presence of a notice may become one of the grounds for issuing a judgment in absentia. Moreover, in the event of changes in legislation or the political situation, the country of your residence may change its position and approve an extradition request that you were not even aware of.
What is the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF)?
Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files, CCF, is an independent body operating within the structure of INTERPOL but possessing autonomy in decision-making. Its main task is to ensure legality and fairness in the processing of personal data that is stored and disseminated through INTERPOL’s systems.
CCF serves as the sole official channel through which individuals can file a complaint or request for correction, restriction of access, or deletion of information related to them in Interpol’s databases. In situations where Interpol notices can affect freedom of movement, the ability to open bank accounts, or obtain visas, the role of the Commission becomes particularly significant. This body is designed to protect human rights in international police cooperation.
The procedure for filing a complaint with the CCF is the main and only mechanism by which a person subject to an Interpol notice can achieve justice and restore their rights. No national court decision can directly oblige Interpol to delete a notice. Only the Commission’s decision has legal force within the organization.
Reasons for deleting the notification
Let us consider the key grounds for challenging unlawful Interpol notice:
- Political motivation. Interpol explicitly prohibits the use of its channels for cases related to the political nature of a crime. The persecution of opposition politicians, activists, human rights defenders, and journalists may be recognized as politically motivated, even if it is formally framed as a criminal case (on charges of fraud, money laundering, or extremism);
- Double criminality. A notice can only be issued if the act for which the person is accused is recognized as a criminal offense in both jurisdictions;
- Non bis in idem. Interpol does not allow the dissemination of notices if a person has already been acquitted or convicted in another jurisdiction for the same fact. If a person has already served a sentence or been acquitted, an attempt to prosecute again through an Interpol notice is considered inadmissible;
- Risk of ill-treatment. If the extradition of a person may entail a real threat of torture, inhuman treatment, or the death penalty, the notice must be removed;
- Statute of limitations. In some cases, the notice may be annulled if, under the laws of the requesting country or international law, the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution has expired;
- Private legal dispute. Interpol notices are not intended for resolving private commercial disputes. If the case concerns a conflict between business partners, a dispute over debt repayment, a property claim, or other civil law matters, this is not grounds for an international search;
- Violation of the principle of confidentiality. If the data included in the notice was obtained illegally, is outdated, inaccurate, or violates confidentiality rules, CCF may order its removal;
- Generalized and incomplete accusations. Sometimes notices contain insufficient factual information: general wording, lack of specific dates, crime locations, or details of the accusation. Such notices may be removed for non-compliance with standards of transparency and accuracy.
The lawyers of our team are ready to evaluate your case, prepare a well-reasoned statement, and accompany the entire process up to the final decision.
Step-by-step procedure for deleting a notification via CCF
The international notice system of Interpol can seriously restrict a person’s freedom, even without a conviction. However, the very fact of a notices existence does not mean that it will remain in the system forever.
Step 1: Preparation of the legal position and collection of evidence
The first and key stage is the formation of a well-founded legal position. It is necessary to prove that the notice violates the norms of Interpol or international law. Lawyers carefully analyze on what grounds a complaint can be built: political motivation, lack of double criminality, violation of human rights, expiration of the statute of limitations, or other permissible reasons.
Preparation requires a deep understanding of the Interpol Constitution, Data Processing Rules, and previously adopted CCF decisions. It is equally important to gather compelling evidence: court rulings, documents on refugee status, materials from human rights organizations, expert opinions, and other confirmations. A professional legal team will also verify the validity of the accusations, identify procedural violations, and cross-check the information with other sources. A well-thought-out strategy at this stage is critical: it is precisely this that determines whether the case will be accepted for review.
Step 2: Drafting and submitting a request to CCF
After collecting evidence, an official request for the removal of the notice is prepared. The document must be written in one of INTERPOL’s working languages, contain a clear description of the case circumstances, a reference to applicable grounds, and attached evidence.
It is important to remember that CCF does not accept anonymous statements. Full personal details of the applicant must be provided, along with the grounds for the complaint, an explanation of how the notice violates their rights, and which Interpol norms were breached. A signed consent form for data processing must also be attached. Errors in documentation, inaccurate information, or lack of justification will result in a refusal to review. Therefore, the entire document package must be prepared and verified by an experienced specialist in international law.
Step 3: Review of the Request by the Commission
After receiving the application and confirming its admissibility, the Commission begins reviewing the case. This stage may last from 6 to 12 months depending on the complexity, workload, and specifics of the situation. During the analysis, CCF may send requests to the General Secretariat and the state that initiated the notice.
The state is given the opportunity to comment on the complaint, provide additional materials, or confirm its position. However, priority is given to an independent assessment of the circumstances. The CCF is not an investigative body but verifies the compliance of the notice with INTERPOL’s rules and international law. If necessary, additional explanations may be requested from the applicant. The review is conducted in written form, without hearings, and is entirely confidential.
Step 4: Resolution of CCF and its consequences
Based on the results of the CCF analysis, a reasoned decision is made — to uphold the notice or remove it from Interpol’s databases. The decision is sent to the applicant in written form. If the notice is deemed to violate Interpol’s rules, it is subject to immediate removal, and member countries receive the corresponding notice.
This means that the notice will no longer appear in the I-24/7 system, will not be available for use by law enforcement agencies, and cannot serve as a basis for arrest, denial of entry, or blocking a bank account. However, it should be noted that the requesting country may attempt to initiate a new notice, especially if the original grounds have not been resolved.
In case of refusal to delete, it is possible to file a repeated complaint if new circumstances or evidence are available. But it is important to understand: CCF decisions are final and not subject to appeal, which makes the initial preparation stage even more important.
How to act ahead with the help of a preventive request?
A preventive request is a written submission to the CCF made before the publication of a notice if a person has strong grounds to believe that one of the countries may initiate a search notice. Such a complaint allows for preventing potential abuse of Interpol mechanisms in cases where criminal prosecution is politically motivated, violates fundamental human rights, or contradicts the principle of double criminality.
CCF considers not only already published notice but also potential threats to individual rights if the provided materials indicate a high probability of misconduct by the state. Within the framework of a preventive request, it is possible to:
- Detail the facts confirming the risk of filing a notice (public statements by authorities, initiated criminal case, requests to the country of residence);
- Attach documents proving the presence of political context, persecution, refugee status, etc.;
- Refer to the provisions of Articles 2 and 3 of the Interpol Constitution, which prohibit politically motivated persecution and oblige respect for human rights.
If the applicant finds themselves in an especially vulnerable situation, within the framework of the complaint, it is possible to file a motion for the suspension of a potential notice. This is called a provisional suspension request. Such a motion may be granted if the CCF determines that the publication of the notice would cause irreversible harm to the applicant’s rights. The suspension can be imposed for the entire duration of the main complaint’s review. This allows for temporarily blocking the dissemination of the applicant’s data in the I-24/7 network and avoiding immediate consequences: arrest, denial of entry, or account freezes.
In which cases is a preventive request especially relevant:
- A criminal case has already been initiated, and you are expecting an international request;
- You were summoned for interrogation, had documents seized, or were publicly accused;
- You are a politician, activist, journalist, businessman whose activities provoke pressure from the authorities;
- Do you have refugee status or have you applied for asylum;
- The notice has already been published earlier and may be resubmitted by the same country.
Our legal team has practical experience in preparing preventive complaints to the CCF. We will help assess the risks of submitting a notice, prepare a compelling evidence package, file a preventive request and a motion to suspend publication, and represent your interests at all stages of interaction with Interpol.
The role of a specialized lawyer
The mechanisms of Interpol are regulated by the Charter, Rules on the Processing of Data, recommendations of the CCF Commission, and a number of internal instructions. Understanding these norms is a mandatory condition for successfully challenging a notice. A specialized lawyer knows how to identify a violation of the Charter, correctly qualify arguments in the complaint, submit it in an acceptable format and on time. Without deep knowledge of these procedures, even a well-founded complaint may be rejected as inadmissible.
Many Interpol notice are based on requests related to commercial disputes, which are submitted as criminal cases. In reality, such cases often have the nature of a private legal dispute and are not subject to consideration through Interpol mechanisms. A competent lawyer will be able to analyze the legal nature of the claims, present a legal position emphasizing the civil-law nature of the conflict, and point out the absence of public danger, which makes the notice unlawful under Interpol standards.
A professional lawyer with experience working with Interpol collects publications, statements from officials, international reports, submits petitions for additional data from the source country of the notice, forms a logical, evidence-based structure of the complaint, convincingly demonstrating the context.
An independent attempt to challenge the notice without proper preparation is extremely risky. Even a minor error in argumentation, a lack of evidence, or a formal inaccuracy can lead to rejection. Successful removal of the notice requires strategic thinking, knowledge of international legal mechanisms, and a deep understanding of the political and legal context.
Our legal team has a successful track record in removing Interpol notices. We carefully evaluate each case, develop a personalized defense strategy, and support the client at all stages: from preparing the complaint to the final decision of the Commission.
Need help from a extradition lawyer in the UAE?
If you are faced with an extradition request or an Interpol notice in the UAE, it is important to act promptly and competently. Mistakes at an early stage can lead to arrest, a travel ban, or transfer to an authoritarian country.
Our lawyers specialize in international cases, including extradition, political persecution, and protection against unlawful Interpol notices. We will help analyze your situation, prepare a defense strategy, and represent your interests before the competent authorities of the UAE and international organizations. Contact us right now to receive professional legal support.
