On 26 January 2026, a major leak exposed how Russia manipulates Interpol's wanted list to pursue and harass its critics abroad. The leaked documents reveal that Russia has been systematically abusing international police cooperation mechanisms to label dissidents, journalists, and exiles as criminals, resulting in politically motivated arrest requests worldwide. This misuse undermines the original purpose of Interpol to combat genuine crime and is part of Russia's broader strategy to suppress dissent beyond its borders. Experts warn that such exploitation damages the credibility of international law enforcement institutions and creates risks for safe refuge for political opponents. The revelations add to the picture of Russia's hybrid tactics aimed at intimidating opposition figures globally under the guise of legal instruments.

On 26 January 2026, a major leak exposed how Russia manipulates Interpol's wanted list to pursue and harass its critics abroad. The leaked documents reveal that Russia has been systematically abusing international police cooperation mechanisms to label dissidents, journalists, and exiles as criminals, resulting in politically motivated arrest requests worldwide. This misuse undermines the original purpose of Interpol to combat genuine crime and is part of Russia's broader strategy to suppress dissent beyond its borders. Experts warn that such exploitation damages the credibility of international law enforcement institutions and creates risks for safe refuge for political opponents. The revelations add to the picture of Russia's hybrid tactics aimed at intimidating opposition figures globally under the guise of legal instruments.