INTERPOL Red Notice

What is an INTERPOL Red Notice?

An INTERPOL Red Notice is a request circulated through INTERPOL by one country (the “requesting” country), asking police forces worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. It travels with identifying details and the offence alleged. It is widely used — and widely misunderstood.

Crucially, a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant, and it is not a finding of guilt. Each country decides, under its own law, how to act on it. What matters for you is what Türkiye does when your name comes up — and what can be done about it.

How a Red Notice arises — and what it does

Understanding where a notice comes from helps you see where it can be challenged:

• A requesting country asksA state asks INTERPOL to circulate the notice based on its own warrant or charge.
• INTERPOL circulates itIf it meets INTERPOL's rules, the notice is shared with member countries' police.
• A border “hit”Your name can flag during a passport-control check when you travel.
• Provisional arrestA country may detain you while the requesting state decides whether to seek extradition.
• Grounds for challengeNotices can breach INTERPOL's own rules — for example political, military or disproportionate cases — and may be contested.
• Not proof of guiltA notice reflects another country's allegation; it does not decide your case.

Your rights if you are stopped

• To remain silent — you do not have to give a statement.
• To a lawyer, and to speak with one.
• To an interpreter if you do not understand Turkish.
• To be told why you are being held.
• Not to sign a statement you do not understand.
• To notify your family and, where appropriate, your consulate.

How these apply in a specific custody or provisional-arrest situation depends on the facts. Asserting them calmly, early, is what protects your options.

What to do — and what not to do

What usually happens, step by step

• Border hitYour name flags at passport control; you are taken aside.
• Provisional holdYou may be held while authorities check the notice and the requesting country's intentions.
• Prosecutor / courtThe matter is referred for a decision on detention and any extradition request.
• Extradition reviewIf extradition is sought, a separate court process begins.
• ChallengeIn parallel, the notice itself may be contested before INTERPOL's CCF where there are grounds.

The first hours shape everything that follows. Acting early — on both the Turkish process and the notice itself — matters.

Common situations we see

Every case differs, but these are situations we encounter:

• Stopped on arrival at ISTA notice flags as you enter Türkiye and you are held at the airport.
• An old or resolved caseThe underlying matter was dropped, settled or time-barred, but the notice was never removed.
• Possibly politically motivatedNotices that may breach INTERPOL's rules on political or disproportionate cases can be challenged before the CCF.
• Dual national or Turkish citizenYour nationality can affect how the request is handled.
• Checking before you travelYou suspect a notice and want to know your exposure before booking a flight to Türkiye.

Who we help

• Travellers stopped at IST or Sabiha Gökçen on a notice
• People who suspect a Red Notice before travelling
• Dual nationals and Turkish citizens abroad
• Families acting for someone detained right now
• People whose underlying case is old, resolved or disputed
• Those who believe a notice is politically motivated or abusive

How we help

1. 1
   AssessWe take the facts and tell you honestly what the notice means for you and what can be done.
2. 2
   Attend & adviseWhere you are held, we act on the custody and any provisional arrest, and make sure your rights are respected.
3. 3
   Challenge where there are groundsWe can contest the underlying request and, where appropriate, the notice itself before INTERPOL's CCF (Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files).
4. 4
   Defend extraditionIf extradition is sought, we act in that process — see our extradition page.

We are independent attorneys registered with the İstanbul Barosu. We never promise an outcome; we explain your real options and the fee before any work begins.

At which airport — IST or Sabiha Gökçen?

Notice “hits” usually happen at passport control. We act at both Istanbul airports, around the clock:

• Istanbul Airport (IST)The large hub on the European side — most international arrivals, and most border “hits”, happen here.
• Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)The Asian-side airport — smaller, but the same checks and the same rights apply, and we cover it too.

Key terms

Red Notice (kırmızı bülten)

An INTERPOL request to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition — not an arrest warrant.

CCF

The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files — the body that can review and delete improper notices.

Provisional arrest

Temporary detention while the requesting country decides whether to seek extradition.

Extradition (iade)

Surrendering a person to another country to face proceedings. More on extradition →

Arrest order (yakalama kararı)

A domestic Turkish order to detain — different from an INTERPOL notice. Arrested at the airport →

Right to silence

You are not obliged to give a statement; you may wait for your lawyer.

Frequently asked questions