Russia has been using Interpol as a tool to track down and apprehend dissidents who criticize the war in Ukraine, according to exiled political opponents. Artur Zaripov, a vocal campaigner for Bashkortostan independence, has been living in Poland in constant fear and uncertainty since Russia requested Red Notices for his arrest through Interpol. Zaripov, who was previously imprisoned in Russia on terrorism charges, has been detained by Polish police four times in the past 18 months before being released due to baseless charges. However, he still fears extradition back to Russia.
Critics argue that European countries should reconsider their cooperation with Russia through Interpol, especially considering the fact that 38% of all Interpol Red Notices are issued by Russia. Bill Browder, a prominent Kremlin critic, states that Russia’s ability to use Interpol to target its enemies is shocking, especially considering the atrocities committed in Ukraine. Browder himself has faced multiple Interpol notices from Russia.
Interpol, despite its founding charter’s requirement of political neutrality, allows each member state access to the information exchange network, including Russia. Critics argue that Interpol’s compliance reviews of Red Notices are insufficient. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western governments called for the suspension of Russia from Interpol. However, Interpol states that there is no provision for the suspension or exclusion of a member country.
Russia’s misuse of Interpol extends beyond political dissidents. Ukrainian opera director Yevhen Lavrenchuk and Chechen Amina Gerikhanova are recent examples of individuals who faced detention and extradition attempts through Red Notices. The charges often allege terrorism affiliation or support, making individuals vulnerable to deportation and separation from their families.
Yana Gorokhovskaia, a research director at Freedom House, explains that the volume of Interpol notices is so large that the organization cannot thoroughly check them all, allowing unjust cases to slip through the cracks. Artur Zaripov, after being detained multiple times in Poland, has appealed his Interpol notice to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files, hoping for a revocation.
Overall, Russia’s use of Interpol to target dissidents and political opponents raises concerns about the organization’s ability to prevent politically motivated notices. The international community must reassess its cooperation with Russia through Interpol to ensure the protection of human rights and prevent further abuses by the Russian government.
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