Russian authorities are increasingly refining the techniques to use, on one hand, the international cooperation for political purposes, and taking advantage of their own vulnerability not to respect the obligations arising therefrom, on the other. That’s the case of Interpol.
Alexandrina Markvo is a young art dealer. Before seeking political asylum in England, she used to organize previews and cultural events for the Moscow elite. That kind of meetings where the waiters run with trays full of caviar canapés while the guests chat about the latest auction at Christie’s. Alexandrina may soon appear on the Interpol wanted list, at the request of the Russian police, on charges of theft of public funds. There is one detail: Alexandrina is the wife of Vladimir Ashurkov, the spin-doctor of the opposition leader, Alexey NavalnyAlexey Navalny, and himself a very prominent dissident. “They want to punish me for supporting Navalny,” Ashurkov said. “And they do it in a way that will discourage others from doing the same. That’s why they are not only coming after me. They are now coming after Alexandrina.”
New rules
Ashurkov is convinced that this move will lead the Kremlin’s opposition persecution to a new level. “This is new. The authorities never used to hunt down family members of its enemies. When Putin went after Mikhail Khodorkovsky he never touched his wife and children during his 10-year jail sentence”.
But there is another aspect that makes the story interesting. The Russian judiciary has opened an investigation against Markvo, sending to the Interpol Red Notice request. This is the closest thing to an international arrest warrant. The Red Notice is an alert to the general police all over the world against a person wanted in a member country, but that does not oblige the other police to arrest him. It is then up to Interpol to assess the appropriateness of the request and decide whether to issue a Red Notice, but it is a rather bland check.
No word yet if the Interpol will issue a Red Notice against Markvo.
A not trustworthy member
An increasing number of requests for Red Notice are made by Russia in the last years. It was the case of Pavel Ivlev, Andrey Leonovich and Ilya Katsnelson, related to the war against Khodorkovsky; it was the case of some of the activists linked to the events in Bolotnaya square; it was the case of the controversial leader of the Ukrainian far right, Dmitro Yarosh. After some hesitation, Interpol has often accepted the request, inserting the names in the infamous international wanted list.
The point is that in the world there is a request for a Red Notice about one every hour. At that rate, it’s impossible for Interpol to be sure that it’s not pursuing political enemies. Most Red Notice requests are granted in hours, the process is electronic, and it requires no evidence: all you have to do is assert that a valid warrant exists. In Russia, this is a mere formality. Basically, Interpol must trust its members, but Russia is not a trustworthy member.
It is not even a loyal player. Because, though ready to make use of Interpol to chase his enemies abroad, it ignores its requests at home. A name among all the international wanted that is safe in Russia? Viktor Yanukovych.
@daniloeliatweet
Alexandrina Markvo is a young art dealer. Before seeking political asylum in England, she used to organize previews and cultural events for the Moscow elite. That kind of meetings where the waiters run with trays full of caviar canapés while the guests chat about the latest auction at Christie’s. Alexandrina may soon appear on the Interpol wanted list, at the request of the Russian police, on charges of theft of public funds. There is one detail: Alexandrina is the wife of Vladimir Ashurkov, the spin-doctor of the opposition leader, Alexey NavalnyAlexey Navalny, and himself a very prominent dissident. “They want to punish me for supporting Navalny,” Ashurkov said. “And they do it in a way that will discourage others from doing the same. That’s why they are not only coming after me. They are now coming after Alexandrina.”
