Interpol issues red notice for Indonesia’s Riza Chalid

Indonesia’s National Police (Polri) said Interpol has issued a Red Notice for corruption fugitive Muhammad Riza Chalid, prompting international efforts to locate and arrest him across the agency’s 196 member countries.

Riza Chalid.

JAKARTA — Brig. Gen. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, head of public information at Polri, confirmed the development during a media briefing at police headquarters on Sunday.

“The Interpol Red Notice for Muhammad Riza Chalid has been published. We are coordinating with counterparts at home and abroad, including Interpol headquarters in Lyon,” said Brig. Gen. Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of NCB Interpol Indonesia.

Police said they have identified the country where Chalid is believed to be located but declined to disclose it publicly. A team has been deployed to pursue follow-up action.

“We can confirm he is in one of the Interpol member countries. His location is under active monitoring, and our team is already on the ground,” Untung said.

Officials said the Red Notice significantly limits Chalid’s ability to travel internationally, as member states are alerted to detain him pending legal procedures.

Explaining the lengthy process behind the notice, Sr. Comr. Ricky Purnama, head of transnational crime at Polri’s international relations division, said Interpol conducted a detailed review to ensure the case was strictly criminal and not politically motivated — a key requirement in corruption cases.

“Interpol assessed whether the case met the principle of dual criminality, meaning the alleged conduct must be considered a crime both under Indonesian law and in other jurisdictions,” Ricky said.

Police said they provided evidence of state financial losses and demonstrated that the case constituted a purely criminal offense. After what officials described as extensive clarification, Interpol approved the notice.

Authorities acknowledged that repatriating a fugitive depends on the legal framework of the country where the suspect is located, but said coordination with relevant authorities is ongoing.

“We are actively following up on the Red Notice that has been issued,” Untung said.

Interpol alert narrows Riza Chalid’s escape routes as Indonesian police move to secure his arrest abroad.