Image Credit: Interpol
Radio Liberty © 2024 RFE/RL, Inc.
18 Aug 2023
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued an order limiting Interpol's powers in Russia. Now Interpol will only be able to conduct surveys and request information from Russian law enforcement agencies, as well as establish the identity of citizens of interest to it.
Previously , full-fledged operational investigative activities were carried out in Russia through Interpol .
The Interior Ministry order is dated March 31, but was registered on August 17 and published today. When discussing the draft order in February, State Duma deputies accused the organization of "unfriendliness" and suggested that its access to Russian police databases could be used for espionage.
Interpol is the world's largest international police organization, comprising 195 states. Russia joined Interpol in 1990. The organization investigates internationally significant crimes such as terrorism, organized crime, drug and arms smuggling, and financial crimes. In addition to the Interpol National Central Bureau in Moscow, there are 80 regional branches of the organization in the country.