Exposé Reveals Russia's Covert Use of Interpol to Target Dissenters Abroad
Thousands of files provided by a whistleblower at Interpol expose for the first time the extent of Russia's apparent abuse of the international policing agency to target its critics abroad.
The data provided to the BBC and the French investigative outlet, Disclose, reveals that Russia is using Interpol's wanted lists to request the arrest of political opponents and journalists, asserting they have committed crimes.
Analysis indicates that over the last decade, Interpol's complaints unit has received more complaints about Russia than any nation, three times more than Turkey, the second-highest country.
After the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Interpol implemented additional checks on Russian activities to curb misuse, but leaked files suggest these checks were insufficient, as some restrictions were quietly removed in 2025.
Igor Pestrikov, a businessman named in the leaked files, describes the terror of being placed on Interpol's wanted list, saying: When you're hit with a red notice, your life changes completely. Pestrikov fled Russia in 2022 due to threats against him related to his opposition to the war.
The leak shows that approximately 700 individuals sought the Commission for the Control of Interpol's Files (CCF) to contest Russian requests. Over 400 of these cases were overturned, indicating widespread misuse of the system.
Despite Interpol suggesting it has strengthened measures against misuse, insiders indicate Russia's attempts continue to flourish within the system.
