Missing Interpol Chief detained in China for questioning: Report
Meng Hongwei, the 64-year-old Interpol Chief who had gone missing has been detained in China for questioning, The South China Morning Post reported on Saturday. Quoting sources, the portal said Hongwei was 'taken away' for questioning by disciplinary authorities, as soon as he landed in China. Hongwei, who stays in Lyon, France, left for China on September 29. Earlier, French Police launched an investigation.
Hongwei's whereabouts and reason for detention still unknown
It is still not clear why Hongwei is being investigated, or where he has been kept. Notably, under China's laws, a suspect's family and employer have to be informed within 24 hours of his detention. But it seems Hongwei's wife wasn't informed after which she contacted Interpol. The SCMP said neither public security ministry nor the foreign ministry responded to requests for comments.
France confident Hongwei didn't disappear from their country
A highly placed French official was sure Hongwei didn't go missing in France. About his disappearance, Interpol said it was a matter for the relevant authorities in China and France, and refused to comment on it further. Hongwei, the first Chinese to be appointed as Interpol Chief, took office in 2014 and his term was due to end in 2020.
Hongwei issued red corner notice for China's fugitive
Interpol, the second largest International body after UN, has 190 members. Under Hongwei, Interpol issued a red corner notice for Guo Wengui, a Chinese fugitive after Beijing requested. The public red notice list consists of 44 people wanted by China. When Hongwei was elected the Interpol chief, Human Rights body thought Beijing would use this position to go after dissidents staying abroad.
