Moscow ‘using Interpol to silence critics’

RUSSIA is facing a showdown with European leaders over claims it is “abusing” the international “red notice” system for arresting criminals, in an attempt to silence Vladimir Putin’s critics.

Documents seen by The Daily Telegraph show that Moscow has issued a request to Interpol for the “arrest and extradition” of Bill Browder, a campaigner for sanctions against Russian officials involved in human rights abuses.

The disclosure comes amid growing concern in Europe about the use of red notices by authoritarian leaders cracking down on their critics. This week Angela Merkel warned President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey not to “misuse” Interpol after the system was used by Ankara to arrest a Turkish journalist in Spain.

Earlier this month Mr Browder gave evidence to the US Senate’s judiciary committee on a controversial meeting Donald Trump Jr, the president’s son, held with a Russian lawyer.