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Interpol Red Notice Lawyer in Dubai & UAE

Dubai and the UAE are among the most active jurisdictions globally for Interpol Red Notice arrests. Our specialist lawyers defend individuals detained in Dubai under Red Notices — including those subject to Russian, CIS, and other politically motivated notices — and challenge extradition through UAE courts and the CCF.

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Why Dubai Is One of the World’s Most Active Red Notice Arrest Jurisdictions

The UAE — and Dubai in particular — has rapidly become one of the most significant Interpol enforcement hubs outside of Europe. As a major financial and transit centre, Dubai attracts high-net-worth individuals from Russia, Ukraine, the CIS, and the wider Middle East, many of whom may be unaware that an Interpol Red Notice has been issued against them.

The UAE processes Interpol requests through the Ministry of Interior’s Criminal Intelligence Department, which liaises directly with Interpol’s General Secretariat. UAE border systems — including Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and all UAE land crossings — conduct automated Interpol database checks. This means that even individuals who have transited Dubai safely for years can be detained without warning if a Red Notice is added to the database.

Notably, the UAE has extradition treaties with a significant number of countries including the UK, France, Italy, the US, and bilateral arrangements with Russia. The UAE does not distinguish between politically and criminally motivated notices in the same way European courts do, making early CCF intervention critical.

Scenario	UAE Response	Our Action
Red Notice at airport	Detention for 48–72 hours; extradition proceedings initiated	Emergency habeas corpus + CCF suspension request
Red Notice during residence check	Visa cancellation risk; police detention	National court application + parallel CCF challenge
Diffusion notice (not a Red Notice)	Police alert; informal detention possible	CCF deletion request + letter to UAE NCB
Preventive action (pre-notice)	N/A	CCF Preventive Request + travel risk assessment

UAE Extradition Law: What You Must Know

The UAE’s extradition framework is governed by Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, as amended. Key features of UAE extradition law relevant to Red Notice cases include:

Treaty-based extradition: The UAE has bilateral treaties with over 40 countries. Where a treaty exists, extradition is legally binding subject to domestic court review. Where no treaty exists, the UAE may still extradite on a reciprocity basis at the Cabinet’s discretion.
Dual criminality: The alleged offence must be punishable in the UAE by at least one year of imprisonment. Many CIS-origin charges (tax offences, “fraud” related to commercial disputes) may not meet this threshold under UAE law.
Political offences exception: The UAE law prohibits extradition for “political offences,” though the UAE interprets this narrowly. Our lawyers have successfully invoked this exception in cases involving individuals targeted for business activity during political transitions.
Nationality bar: UAE nationals cannot be extradited. Foreign nationals do not enjoy this protection, but the courts will review whether extradition violates human rights norms.

If you are detained in Dubai or the wider UAE, immediate engagement of legal counsel is essential. Do not answer questions without a lawyer present. Contact us immediately: +357 96 447475.

Our Approach: CCF + UAE Courts Working Together

For clients in Dubai or the UAE, we operate a simultaneous two-track defence that has proven highly effective in complex cases:

Track 1 — CCF Red Notice Challenge: We prepare and file an urgent Red Notice removal application with the CCF Requests Chamber. In detention scenarios, we request emergency interim measures to suspend the notice while our full submission is prepared. CCF suspension orders are internationally recognised and must be respected by UAE authorities.

Track 2 — UAE Domestic Proceedings: Working with our network of UAE-licensed counsel in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we file urgent court applications opposing extradition or challenging the lawfulness of detention. Where a Preventive Request is still possible, we submit it immediately to place your case on Interpol’s pre-circulation review.

We also advise on the interaction between Red Notice proceedings and any parallel extradition request, as well as OFAC or international sanctions matters that frequently accompany high-profile Interpol cases targeting business individuals from Russia and the CIS.

For a free confidential consultation, contact us now: +357 96 447475

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