Ben Keith features in IFA Magazine | Interpol Red Notices: How a tool for international cooperation is being exploited to target High Net Worth Individual

Ben Keith features in IFA Magazine, published 12 December 2023. Click here to view the article on the IFA Magazine's Website. 

Interpol (the international criminal police organisations) acts as a platform for states to work together and exchange information on criminal activities, including financial corruption. When an individual has been found partaking in illicit activity, a Red Notice can be issued against them, meaning there is an arrest warrant hanging over their head. Intended as a tool to promote international police cooperation, Interpol’s Red Notice system has increasingly been exploited by authoritarian regimes, notably China, the UAE and Russia, as well as business adversaries. This often occurs when a business transaction takes place in a high-risk jurisdiction. HNWs are getting criminal convictions for things that aren’t a criminal offence at all, leading to asset seizures and even prison sentences. A bounced cheque in the Middle East can be reframed as a crime and exploited by a business adversary, for example, leading to the accused losing their assets or having them frozen.

Cases in Point: Xiao Jianhua and the Bill Browder Affair

Ben Keith is a leading barrister at 5SAH specialising in cross-border and international cases. He deals with all aspects of Extradition, Human Rights, Mutual Legal Assistance, Interpol, Financial crime and International Law including sanctions. He represents governments, political and military leaders, High Net Worths, human rights defenders and business leaders in the most sensitive cases. In this article, he explores the multifaceted risks faced by HNWIs due to the systemic abuse of Interpol’s Red Notice system and outlines strategic approaches for navigating these challenges.

The high-profile case of Xiao Jianhua, a Chinese-Canadian billionaire, underscores the potential misuse of Interpol’s Red Notice system. Accused of corruption and financial wrongdoing, Xiao was forcibly abducted from a luxury hotel in Hong Kong and taken to mainland China. Subsequently, Chinese authorities issued a Red Notice through Interpol, signalling their intent to have Xiao arrested and extradited to China to face corruption charges. The Red Notice, acting as a global alert, signalled to global law enforcement the arrest warrant issued by Chinese authorities. This move highlighted the interconnected nature of legal mechanisms on a global scale, as Interpol’s system facilitated the dissemination of information across borders.

The issuance of a Red Notice does not inherently imply guilt or validate the charges brought against the individual. Instead, it signifies that a member state, in this case, China, has formally requested the cooperation of other Interpol member countries in locating and provisionally arresting the individual pending extradition. Xiao Jianhua’s case underscores the potential weaponization of Interpol’s tools, with Red Notices being utilized in ways that extend beyond their intended purpose of ensuring the apprehension of individuals involved in genuine criminal activities.

Similarly, the case of Bill Browder, once Russia’s largest foreign investor, serves as a poignant illustration of the weaponization of Red Notices. Browder faced a retaliatory Red Notice orchestrated by President Putin after his exposure of widespread corruption within the Russian government, unearthing a $230 million fraud scheme involving high-ranking officials. In response, he became a target, falsely accused of tax evasion through his company. The Red Notice sought his arrest and extradition, his company was raided and his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, was arrested, tortured, and died in custody. Browder’s case exemplifies the vulnerability of individuals challenging powerful regimes, showcasing how Red Notices can be weaponized to suppress dissent.

Risks Faced by HNWIs and Advisors

HNWIs, due to their affluence and global connections, become prime targets for politically or economically motivated persecution. Wrongful entanglement in business and political conflicts exposes them to accusations driven more by personal vendettas than genuine legal concerns. The issuance of Interpol Red Notices in such cases not only jeopardizes the individuals’ freedom but also has severe and far-reaching consequences for their personal and professional lives, including asset seizures, arbitrary detention, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment or long-term imprisonment.

Despite Interpol’s foundational premise of member countries collaborating to prevent genuine criminals from evading justice, the Red Notice system is susceptible to abuse. Authoritarian regimes with poor human rights records, such as China, the UAE, and Russia, systematically weaponize the Red Notice system to pursue and target individuals perceived as enemies of their respective regimes. China’s anti-corruption campaigns, exemplified by Operation Fox Hunt and Operation Sky Net, ostensibly targeting corrupt Chinese officials who sought refuge overseas, have transformed into tools for suppressing dissidents and political adversaries. Parallel pursuits by Russia underscore the imperative for HNWIs to navigate an environment where Interpol’s mechanisms are wielded for political ends. 

Beyond political motivations, Red Notices are increasingly deployed in commercial disputes, especially in high-risk jurisdictions with weak criminal justice systems. Business adversaries, aiming to gain a competitive edge, exploit the global reach of Red Notices to tarnish the reputation of HNWIs. This convergence of threats, where both political and commercial adversaries employ the same mechanism for their interests, places HNWIs and their advisors in a precarious position, as illustrated by the cases of Jianhua and Browder.

Navigating Risks: A Strategic Approach

For HNWIs, the risks associated with Interpol Red Notices can be daunting, but there are proactive steps that can be taken to mitigate potential damage and protect one’s reputation:

1. Due Diligence in High-Risk Jurisdictions: Conducting rigorous risk assessments, particularly when engaging in transactions in high-risk jurisdictions is imperative. Comprehensive due diligence, including evaluating international activities and relationships, becomes a crucial component to identify potential adversaries or areas of concern that could trigger the issuance of a Red Notice. Understanding the legal landscape is essential for pre-emptive risk mitigation.
2. Legal Counsel: Engaging experienced legal counsel can provide tailored advice and guide through the complexities of challenging Red Notices. Legal experts can ensure due process, adherence to Interpol’s mandates, and conduct thorough risk assessments to mitigate exposure.
3. Strategic Reputation Management: Developing a proactive reputation management strategy, including effective communication channels to counter unwarranted allegations and managing public perception to mitigate potential damage to an individual’s reputation.

In conclusion, Interpol Red Notices, when exploited by authoritarian regimes and business adversaries, pose significant risks to HNWIs. A nuanced strategy involving legal acumen, comprehensive risk assessments, due diligence, and strategic advocacy becomes imperative. Recent examples underscore the urgency in addressing these challenges, ensuring the safeguarding of reputations and preventing the misuse of international law enforcement mechanisms.

Ben Keith is a leading barrister specialising in cross-border and international cases. He deals with all aspects of Extradition, Human Rights, Mutual Legal Assistance, Interpol, Financial crime and International Law including sanctions. He represents governments, political and military leaders, High Net Worth individuals, human rights defenders and business leaders in the most sensitive cases.

He has extensive experience of appellate proceedings before the Administrative and Divisional Courts, Civil and Criminal Divisions of the Court of Appeal as well as applications and appeals to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and United Nations. Ben is recognised in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.