INTERPOL news

LYON, France - Following confirmation from German authorities that Paul Watson had failed to satisfy the bail conditions established by the German courts and had fled the country, Costa Rican authorities renewed their request to the INTERPOL General Secretariat headquarters to issue a Red Notice seeking his detention or arrest with a view to extradition.

The Red Notice request is based on a national arrest warrant issued by Costa Rican authorities for Mr Watson, who is wanted for prosecution in relation to a charge of ‘causing a danger of drowning or of an air disaster’ in connection with an incident in April 2002.

Based on Mr Watson's failure to satisfy the bail conditions set by the German court, and the additional information provided by Costa Rica concerning the underlying charges, it was concluded that a Red Notice could be issued in compliance with INTERPOL’s Constitution and rules. The Red Notice was published on Tuesday 7 August.

A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. It is a request by INTERPOL for member countries to determine whether they can detain or arrest an individual in order for the requesting country to seek their extradition. INTERPOL cannot demand that any member country arrest the subject of a Red Notice.

Each of INTERPOL’s 190 member countries must apply their national laws and standards in determining whether it may detain or arrest the wanted person.

Any additional enquiries in relation to the Red Notice for Paul Watson should be directed to Costa Rican authorities.