The United Kingdom government has asked Interpol to reject Argentina’s requests for the arrest of people involved in a major oil project off the coast of the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands, according to a report by a British newspaper.
Tensions between Argentina and the UK have prompted British officials to seek urgent assurances from the international organisation.
The British government has sent a letter to Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon arguing that Argentina’s requests for “red notices” seeking the arrest of those involved, including British nationals, should be considered politically motivated, reported The Guardian.
The international crime watchdog has reportedly reassured the UK government that it will respect Article 3 of its constitution, which prohibits the organisation from undertaking activities of a political, military, religious or racial character, reported the newspaper.
Argentina’s strategy to block the offshore development includes attempts to pressure those involved in the Sea Lion oil project and deter other investors.
Andrea Clausen, chief executive of the Falkland Islands government, described Argentina’s use of Interpol as a “threat”, adding: “One would hope that Interpol wouldn’t necessarily take action. Certainly those of us who have an interest have had a look at certain sections of Interpol’s constitution to see what we think it could mean.”
Interpol screens red notices, which are requests to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. If the notices are circulated to law enforcement agencies, each member country decides whether to act on them.
– TIMES/NA
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