French authorities have formally charged Vitalie Pirlog, a former Moldovan justice minister and former chair of a powerful Interpol oversight commission, in connection with an alleged international scheme to sabotage the law enforcement agency’s red notices. These notices act as global alerts for fugitives sought by law enforcement agencies around the world.
Pirlog, who was arrested earlier this week in the United Arab Emirates, was extradited to France on Friday. French prosecutors say he now faces charges including organized fraud and evasion of arrest, amid a broader probe into alleged corruption at the heart of Interpol’s file control mechanisms.
According to sources close to the investigation, Pirlog is suspected of having played a central role in a complex operation involving multinational conspirators who allegedly paid millions of dollars in bribes to tamper with red notices. These alerts, when active, flag individuals wanted by law enforcement and can significantly restrict their movement globally.
In Pirlog’s case, investigators allege that he helped fugitives exploit a loophole by aiding them in obtaining asylum status in Moldova, which in turn triggered the suspension or deletion of their red notices. This maneuver, prosecutors argue, was part of a calculated effort to shield certain individuals from arrest and extradition.
French financial prosecutor Jean-François Bohnert, who is leading the investigation, stated that the network involved individuals of various nationalities, and that the financial scale of the alleged corruption may reach several million dollars. The implications are significant not just for France, but for the integrity of Interpol operations globally.
Pirlog’s legal team has pushed back strongly against the charges. His attorney, Emmanuel Marsigny, described the French warrant as “incomprehensible,” noting that Pirlog had voluntarily provided his address in the UAE to French prosecutors and had been awaiting a formal summons for questioning under international legal procedures.
“Mr. Pirlog is certainly not someone who wanted to evade justice — quite the contrary,” said Marsigny in a statement to AFP.
The case has also prompted a public statement from Interpol itself, which is headquartered in Lyon, France. The organization confirmed that it had identified attempts to interfere with and delete red notices in a limited number of cases. Once flagged, Interpol alerted French authorities, prompting the launch of a formal investigation in early 2025.
The unfolding scandal threatens to cast a long shadow over Interpol’s operations, especially its internal oversight systems. Red notices are a cornerstone of international police cooperation, and any suggestion of manipulation undermines both the tool and the trust in the system that issues it.
As French prosecutors continue their investigation, more arrests or charges could follow. For now, all eyes are on how this high-profile case — involving allegations of corruption at the very top of an international policing body — will play out in the French courts.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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