Interpol Wellington confirms that New Zealand Police has received notification of the Red Notice in respect of New Zealand citizen Peter Leaitua. The notice was issued by Interpol Buenos-Aires.
“We are not prepared to comment on specific details relating to the Red Notice in respect of Mr Leaitua. These are matters for the Argentine authorities,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Liam Clinton, Interpol Wellington.
“We will of course assist the Argentine authorities with any inquiries they may request through Interpol Wellington.
“Interpol Wellington confirms there may be an apparent link between Mr Leaitua and Sorlinda Aristizabal-Vega, the Columbian woman who died in Auckland Hospital on 7 September. This is part of the ongoing Coronial investigation and not related to the Red Notice.
“As it is a Coronial matter it is inappropriate for police to comment further about the investigation into her death.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Clinton said the public should be aware that an Interpol Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. There is no such thing as an international arrest warrant.
It is an alert notice to all 190 Interpol member countries that the subject of the Red Notice is wanted for serious criminal offending in the issuing country.
“In New Zealand we cannot arrest on the basis of a Red Notice,” he said. “There must be a provisional arrest warrant issued by a New Zealand Court, pursuant to a formal extradition request. If located, Argentina would be required to make an extradition request to New Zealand through formal diplomatic channels.”
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Media contacts: Kaye Calder, Public Affairs, Police National Headquarters
Telephone: 04 460 2986, email: kaye.calder@police.govt.nz.