A good number of people who complain about unfairly issued Red Notices argue that the charges underlying their Red Notices are politically motivated. Many times, the claim of political motivation is true.

A government's basis for bringing charges against one of its citizens or residents may stem from the governing regime's desire to control dissidents, to quiet whistleblowers, or to discourage political opposition. As any human rights non-governmental organization can attest, politically motivated criminal charges are brought with frequency in many countries.

INTERPOL's Constitution prohibits INTERPOL from becoming involved in any matter of a political character. Nonetheless, the argument that a Red Notice is politically based can be made, substantiated, and submitted with proof to INTERPOL, and the subject's request to remove the Red Notice can still be validly denied.