INTERPOL has, for the third time, decided not to issue a Red Notice for controversial Indian preacher Zakir Naik.

In a letter dated July 22, signed by the secretariat to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files, the global police body said Zakir is “not subject to an Interpol Red Notice or diffusion”.

It said the decision was made after the commission’s 109th session, held from July 1 to 5.

“After a thorough examination of the elements before it, the commission found that the data challenged raised questions as to compliance with applicable rules,” said the letter, a copy of which was provided to The Malaysian Insight by Zakir’s office in India.

“Please be advised that the Interpol general secretariat has informed all of its national central bureaus (NCBs) that it has deleted the data (charges) relating to your client.

“All international police cooperation via Interpol’s channels in this case would not be in conformity with Interpol’s rules.”

The secretariat added that NCBs are urged to update their databases accordingly.

“You will find an enclosed decision from the commission concerning your client and an official letter from the Interpol general secretariat, certifying that he (Zakir) is not subject to an Interpol Red Notice or diffusion.”

Copies of the decision and second letter were not provided to The Malaysian Insight.

The Interpol publishes Red Notices at the request of member countries. A Red Notice does not amount to an international arrest warrant, but serves as a wanted persons notice.

An aide to the preacher, in a statement to The Malaysian Insight, said: “Interpol has yet again refused (to issue) a Red Notice against Zakir, citing a lack of evidence and proof of wrongdoing.

“The Interpol decision comes as a severe setback to the Indian government, which has been persistently trying to get international police to issue a Red Notice against him.

“This is the third failed attempt by the Indian government to convince Interpol of the criminal charges against Zakir. Its first attempt was in mid-2017.

“In the first instance, the Indian government failed to produce charges and evidence. In the second instance, the government submitted a charge sheet against Zakir to Interpol in late 2017.

“Although, the Indian government pressured Interpol in 2018, the organisation still refused to issue a Red Notice for Zakir.”

The aide said the latest decision implied that the charges and allegations against Zakir are unsubstantiated, and Indian authorities had failed to heed Interpol’s rules regarding charges and submission of proof.

New Delhi in November 2016 banned Zakir and his Islamic Research Foundation. It has since shifted between charges of terrorism and money-laundering against the preacher, who has been granted permanent resident status in Malaysia, where he currently resides. – July 28, 2019.