Zakir Naik appeals to Interpol to turn down red notice plea

Responding to the Red Corner Notice issued by the Interpol, counsel for controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is being probed by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) in terror cases, has written to the Interpol to turn down the Indian government's plea and not issue a red corner notice against him.

The notice was issued in breach of the strict prohibition of political or religious activities under Article 3 of Interpol's Constitution. A letter sent by Naik's London-based attorney Corker Binning to the Secretary General, Interpol in France has sought for a refusal to issue and publish the red notice on the ground that it does not comply with the Interpol's Constitution and Rules.

Stating that "he is not a fugitive from justice," Naik's attorney's letter denied allegations of money laundering and inciting terrorism while pressing for a greater vigilance in this case owing to the current political dispensation in India.

"Naik urges the General Secretariat to subject this red notice request to careful and critical scrutiny and to consult with the India before publishing the red notice. Given the potential of this case to undermine the reputation and effectiveness of Interpol, it is incumbent on the Indian NCB to provide a clear, concrete and cogent basis for the allegations against Naik, rather than vague and general allegations of inspiring terrorism," it said. He alleged that the "Hindu nationalist government" has launched dubious criminal proceedings against him with enormous support among India's Muslim minority, and seeks to tarnish his reputation with vague allegations of inspiring terrorism.

It further pointed out that Article 3 of the Interpol forbids the organisation to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.

"We are writing with an urgent request for Interpol not to comply with India's request on the basis that it was issued in breach of the strict prohibition of political or religious activities under Article 3 of Interpol's Constitution," stated the letter.

"Naik's response to the money laundering allegations is that they are contrived and evidently unfounded," said the attorney, adding he was being framed on certain unsubstantiated reports.