IGP: Can't extradite Jho Low because no country has confirmed his whereabouts

KUALA LUMPUR: Extradition requests for fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (pic), more commonly known as Jho Low, cannot be made as none of the Interpol member countries have confirmed his whereabouts in their respective countries.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the police have filed 13 charges against Low in court even without him present (In Absentia) involving the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

"The police have also obtained a Red Notice from Interpol against Low in 2018.

"The notice could only be accessed by Interpol member countries as he did not pose a threat to public safety based on Interpol's assessment," he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 8).

He said foreign authorities at Singapore and the United States were also investigating Low and both countries have filed charges against him.

"Efforts to track Low are still ongoing and all the information received regarding his whereabouts in foreign countries have been investigated by the police including using channels of cooperation with the authorities in those countries.

"Interpol Red Notices issued act as a notification and a means to get information on the hunt of fugitives," he said adding that if any member country detects a wanted criminal there, Interpol there was responsible for relaying that information to the country which obtained the Red Notice for the extradition process.

He said so far extradition requests for Low could not be made because none of the Interpol member countries have confirmed his whereabouts in their respective countries.

"We welcome anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Low to contact the CCID infoline at 013-211 1222 via WhatsApp only or go to the nearest police station.

"Any information received would be checked for authenticity before it is forwarded to Interpol to get further verification from the respective member country," he said.