Europol and Interpol are often used in practice confused with each other. But there is a difference for those affected crucial: Europol is the EU agency for the Cooperation between law enforcement authorities and supports the Police authorities of the EU member states. Interpol is against it a global intergovernmental organization with 196 Member Statesthat comply with the international police Information exchange coordinated. Both organizations can for Companies, managing directors and private individuals with a foreign connection have significant practical consequences - for example through searches, international data transfer, operational support of Investigations or a Red Notice.
Why Europol and Interpol are so important for clients
Who Getting caught up in a cross-border investigation often has it not just with the police and public prosecutor's office of a single state to do. Especially in fraud proceedings, money laundering, Cybercrime, Tax and customs criminal proceedings, sanctions violations, international Asset transfers or extradition cases play Europol and Interpol often play an important role. For clients This means: Even if the actual arrest, search or Charges are always made under national law, the case is often brought in Background coordinated and accelerated internationally.
What is Europol?
Europol is the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation based in The Hague. The legal basis is the EU Regulation 2016/794. Europol's task is to: Law enforcement authorities of the EU member states in the fight serious international and organized crime, terrorism and other cross-border crimes. There Europol is above all an information, analysis and... Coordination office.
What Europol is allowed - and what not
For Particularly important to clients: Europol does not have any of its own Executive powers. Europol employees are not allowed to anyone arrest, no own investigations “on your own” and not act without the consent of national authorities. Rather, Europol supports national authorities Information exchange, Analysis, operational Supportand networking investigations. Also the BKA emphasizes that Europol is central for Germany is a cooperation partner and the BKA is the national body for Europol perceives.
Like Europol becomes relevant in practice
In In practice, Europol appears primarily where there are several investigations affect EU states. This can happen with international ones, for example Fraud systems, cyber attacks, money laundering networks, drug trafficking or human trafficking may be the case. It is important for the accused to understand that Europol does not arrest itself, but through Analysis, data comparison and coordination often contribute to this national authorities act more quickly and more specifically against a person or a company proceeds.
What is Interpol?
Interpol The full name is International Criminal Police Organization and is an intergovernmental organization for worldwide police cooperation. Unlike Europol, Interpol isnot limited to the EU, but networks police authorities in 196 Member States. Each member country maintains aNational Central Bureau (NCB); in Germany the BKA is that national central office and exchanges under “Interpol Wiesbaden” information with police authorities worldwide.
What Interpol does - and what Interpol is not
Interpol is not an international police force with its own arrest rights. The Organization helps police departments worldwide Exchange of information, for searches, for notices and providing operational support in international criminal cases. Interpol itself does not “look for” people as a separate agency; Rather, people are wanted by a member state or a international court. Even an Interpol report is no substitute automatically meet the national legal requirements for one Arrest or extradition.
The Red Notice: The most important Interpol instrument for Accused
For The Red Notice is particularly relevant for clients. Interpol describes it as an international wanted notice with the aim of to locate and temporarily arrest a person, up to over Delivery, Handover or similar measures is decided. Very important: ARed Notice is not international arrest warrant and also not one of our own Interpol arrest warrant. Rather, it is international Request based on a national decision of a Member State is based. Nevertheless, in practice a Red Notice can lead to that those affected are checked, stopped or temporarily while traveling be arrested.
What is the difference between Europol and Interpol?
The The most important difference is the spatial and legal framework. Europol works within the EU and supports it Law enforcement authorities of the Member States on the basis of the EU law. Interpol is globally oriented and networked Police authorities worldwide. Europol is primarily for those within the EU operational support and analysisrelevant. Interpol is ahead especially for global searches, notices and international ones Police communicationsignificant. What both have in common is Organizations that they are not courts and not independent criminal convictions or extradition decisions meet.
What What does this mean in practice for companies and private individuals?
For Companies with an international connection can be Europol or Interpol become relevant when allegations such as fraud, sanctions violations, Money laundering, Cybercrime, Tax crimes or There are other cross-border crimes in the area. For Interpol is particularly important to private individuals when a state they can be searched for internationally, for example through a Red Notice or a Diffusion. The following applies to both: This is the case then no longer purely national. There are threats of travel restrictions, international data transfer, arrests when crossing borders and coordinated investigative measures in several states.
Can how to defend yourself against an Interpol alert?
Yes. Interpol sees with theCommission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) has its own independent committee. There you can Affected requests for information, correction or Deletion of data in the Interpol information system. The CCF decides on relevant applications and checks whether the Data processing is compatible with the Interpol rules. This is in This is particularly important in practice when there is a Red Notice or others Interpol data unlawful, disproportionate or political could be motivated.
And what about Germany?
For The BKA plays a central role in Germany. It is both the national office for Europol as well as the national Central Office for Interpol. This means: in many procedures With reference to Europol or Interpol, the German contacts run through this BKA. It is therefore important for those affected to know that International cooperation in Germany often takes place very quickly concrete measures by national authorities.
Our legal advice
If there are proceedings against you or your company with Europol- or Interpol reference is ongoing, should be checked at an early stage, which authority actually acts, which data were distributed internationallyand which national ones Measures can follow from this. Especially with Red Notices, international searches, cross-border ones White collar criminal cases and extradition risks are enough national defense is often not sufficient. What is crucial is a law firm who is experienced in criminal law and international alignedworks. This is exactly where we can do the defense build strategically, national and international steps coordinate and your rights vis-à-vis the authorities involved protect effectively.