Thousands of files provided by a whistleblower at Interpol expose for the first time the extent of Russia's apparent abuse of the international policing agency to target its critics abroad.
The data provided to the BBC World Service and French investigative outlet, Disclose, reveals that Russia is using Interpol's wanted lists to request the arrest of people such as political opponents, businessmen and journalists, claiming that they have committed crimes.
Analysis of data also suggests that over the past decade, Interpol's own independent complaints unit has received more complaints about Russia than anyone else - three times more than the next highest country, Turkey.
In addition, it indicates complaints against Moscow's requests have led to more cases being overturned than for any other country.
After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Interpol introduced extra checks on Moscow's activity to prevent any potential misuse of Interpol's channels in relation to the targeting of individuals within or beyond the conflict in Ukraine.
But the leaked documents suggest these did not prevent Russia abusing the system and the whistleblower told us some stricter measures were quietly dropped in 2025.
In response, Interpol says that every year, thousands of the world's most serious criminals are arrested thanks to its operations and that it has a number of systems to avoid misuse which have been strengthened over the last few years.
It also says it is aware of the potential impact requests for arrest can have on individuals.
Igor Pestrikov, a Russian businessman whose name appears in the leaked files, summarizes the drastic change a red notice brings to one's life, detailing the stress and fear that comes with being targeted internationally.
Pestrikov, who fled Russia amid threats of being charged with financial crimes, describes the emotional toll and significant repercussions of being on Interpol's wanted list, highlighting a broader issue of political persecution facilitated through the misuse of international policing systems.
The situation has drawn criticism from international lawyers who demand that Interpol take stricter measures against countries that abuse the system, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms to ensure that political motivations cannot influence international policing actions.
