SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Authorities in El Salvador say Interpol has notified them that it will not issue a red notice for the capture of fugitive ex-President Mauricio Funes and three family members who were granted political asylum in Nicaragua.

National Civil Police Chief Howard Cotto said Monday in an interview with Salvadoran television that the decision is due to the fact that they have asylum status.

Funes, his partner and two sons have been in Nicaragua since 2016. They and 14 others are suspected of involvement in a corruption network that allegedly embezzled $351 million in public funds.

The former president has denied wrongdoing and says he is the target of political persecution.