INTERPOL Red Notice does not automatically mean extradition — what the procedure is in Georgia

According to Imedi's report on 8 October, an Armenian citizen sought by Armenian law enforcement agencies was arrested in Tbilisi. The publication states that he is accused in Armenia of murder committed by a group, hooliganism, and illegal possession of firearms, and that the extradition process is underway. These accusations are information disseminated by the Armenian side and do not signify a finding of guilt against this individual. His identity and any court decisions made in Georgia are not specified in the public notice.

What a Red Notice means

According to INTERPOL's explanation, a Red Notice asks countries to locate a person and consider their provisional arrest for possible extradition. The notice itself is not an international arrest warrant, and INTERPOL does not issue national court warrants. The decision to arrest is made by the authorities of the country where the person is located, in accordance with national legislation.

Therefore, two issues must be distinguished: the international notice and the legal basis for restricting liberty on the territory of Georgia. The published notice for this specific case does not show an arrest warrant, a court decision regarding extradition detention, or the full request.

What are the stages in Georgia

According to Article 30 of the Law 'On International Cooperation in Criminal Matters', within 48 hours of detention, the prosecutor applies to a magistrate judge with a request for the application of a measure of restraint. Extradition detention or other measures of restraint provided by law may be applied. Under Paragraph 5 of this article, the initial ruling may be appealed by the person within 7 days of its delivery to the Investigative Chamber of the Court of Appeal, which will consider the appeal within 5 days. These deadlines should not be equated with all procedures for extending or changing detention.

Under Article 34 of the same law, the issue of the admissibility of extradition is considered by a district or city court. Its ruling may be appealed by way of cassation to the Supreme Court within 7 days of its pronouncement. After the final court decision, the Minister of Justice issues an order to grant or refuse extradition; under Paragraph 14 of Article 34, this order is final and not subject to appeal. Decisions regarding extradition detention and transfer are different acts.

Georgia and Armenia are parties to the Council of Europe's 1957 European Convention on Extradition. This creates a framework for cooperation, but the transfer of a specific individual is not automatic. The basis of the request, conditions of dual criminality and other contractual terms, grounds for refusal under the law, and individual decisions made in Georgia regarding the person must be checked. Article 6 of the Criminal Code prohibits, among other things, extradition for political persecution and provides grounds for refusal if the act is not a crime in Georgia or if the requesting party has imposed the death penalty for it.

It is important for the detainee to receive legal assistance promptly, an interpreter if necessary, and information on the court acts on which their detention or transfer is based. The deadline for a specific appeal is calculated from the date of delivery of the act, so confirmation of factual dates by family or a representative is practically important. For additional general information, see Explanation of pre-trial detention and bail.

This text explains the public notice available up to 9 October 2026. Without the case materials, it is impossible to assess the legality of the specific arrest or the outcome of the extradition. The material is for informational purposes and does not constitute individual legal advice.

Legislation verified as of 9 October 2026.