A reader posted this comment recently:

Just wanted to know if a person committed a crime 28 years ago and has been on the run ever since, would that individual be on the Interpol red list if he tries to fly internationally?

We naturally assume that the question is merely one of curiousity, and posed solely for academic purposes. The reader is referring to a Red Notice, and it is not known from the question whether the person who committed the underlying crime was ever made the subject of a Red Notice. Assuming that a Red Notice was requested, there is a good chance that the Notice is still active. This issue was addressed not too long ago in a post, here.

The reader's question is reminiscent, in its cautiously casual tone, of the thought that must run through many a man's mind:

Just wondering if that transgression of mine from so long ago would be raised if I were to engage in the obviously impending argument with my wife?

And of course, the answer is that, unless the woman is really no longer interested at all, that issue will probably be raised, because the female memory bank tends to be rather broad and readily accessible.

Likewise, unless the requesting country is no longer interested in prosecution, the Red Notice likely remains outstanding and that the travelling Red Notice subject will be detained during his travels. If there is reason to believe that the notice is no longer valid or was improper to begin with, then the subject or his attorney may wish to challenge the Notice and seek its removal. He may have better luck than the guy arguing with his wife.

As always, thoughts and comments are welcomed.