In a detailed investigation published today, Newsweek examines INTERPOL Hong Kong and the decision to hold the organization’s 94th General Assembly in the city this November. The article explores what the choice of venue reveals about Beijing’s growing influence over INTERPOL, drawing on interviews with lawyers, rights activists, and former police officers who warn that meeting in a jurisdiction where thousands have been prosecuted under national security laws sends the wrong signal to authoritarian member states.
Charlie Magri on China and Red Notice Transparency
Charlie Magri, INTERPOL defense lawyer and founder of Otherside, was interviewed as part of the investigation. Magri addressed the persistent lack of transparency in INTERPOL’s reporting on Red Notice requests:
“We don’t know how many notices are requested by China or how many are refused. But there is no way they are not in the top five.”
Magri confirmed that he currently represents a number of Chinese clients fighting Red Notices. He told Newsweek that Chinese requests have been increasing: “Right now, I have the feeling there are more and more clients from China.”
INTERPOL Hong Kong and the General Assembly Context
The Newsweek investigation also addresses broader concerns about the upcoming INTERPOL Hong Kong meeting. Police officers from 196 member states are expected to attend the 94th General Assembly from November 17 to 20. Hong Kong’s Security Bureau described the event as an opportunity to demonstrate the city’s commitment to international law enforcement cooperation. Critics, however, point to the prosecution of journalists and civil society participants under the National Security Law and question whether reporters and NGOs will be able to attend freely.
The article comes at a time when INTERPOL’s own figures show a sharp rise in Red Notice activity. In 2025, the organization published 19,568 Red Notices, up from 15,548 in 2024, which was itself a record year. INTERPOL’s internal compliance screening is also flagging more requests. In 2025, 558 alerts were refused or cancelled on human rights or political neutrality grounds (Articles 2 and 3 of the INTERPOL Constitution), up from 305 the year before. Total rejections across all categories rose to 2,550. INTERPOL does not release country-specific breakdowns, making it impossible to assess which member states are driving the increase.
Facing a Red Notice from China?
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