Altaf Hussain’s arrest: Interpol again asked to issue Red Warrant

The FIA had made a similar request in February which Interpol had turned down

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) again filed a formal request with the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) for issuing a ‘Red Warrant’ for arresting MQM-London chief Altaf Hussain, said a statement of the Ministry of Interior on Friday.

It stated that the request was made in compliance with all legal formalities and Interpol's rules and procedure.

“Altaf Hussain is wanted by many Pakistani courts in criminal cases,” the statement said.

 



This is the second such attempt by Pakistani authorities for the issuance of ‘Red Warrants’ against Altaf Hussain: A similar effort was also made in February this year, which was deflected by Interpol for various reasons.

While refusing to issue a ‘Red Warrant’, Interpol had reportedly stated that it did not intervene in political and religious matters of any state.

Interpol had also sought a clarification from the government over the request for issuance of the warrant against Hussain, besides asking for details of sedition charges against him.



A ‘Red Warrant’ or notice is a request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition. It is issued by Interpol’s General Secretariat at the request of a member country or an international tribunal based on a valid national arrest warrant.

Interpol cannot compel any member country to arrest an individual who is the subject of a ‘Red Notice’. Each member country decides for itself what legal value to give a ‘Red Notice’ within their borders.

Previously, Pakistani authorities had used a letter issued by the Sindh Home Department for seeking the issuance of the ‘Red Warrant’ against Hussain.

According to sources, more documents have been attached to make the request more credible.