Interpol’s president Meng Hongwei has been reported missing after travelling to his native China in late September, according to French police. The South China Morning Post quoted an unnamed source that Meng was was taken in for questioning as soon as he landed in China. The International…
Interpol’s president Meng Hongwei has been reported missing after travelling to his native China in late September, according to French police. The South China Morning Post quoted an unnamed source that Meng was was taken in for questioning as soon as he landed in China.
Background
The International Criminal Police Organization, more commonly known as Interpol, is the world’s largest police agency that consists of 192 member countries and facilitates policy cooperation “even where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular countries”. The organization aims to ensure that police forces worldwide have access to the tools, services and support necessary to fight crime and apprehend wanted suspects.
Meng Hongwei, 64, has nearly 40 years of experience in criminal justice and policing and has overseen affairs related to narcotics control, counter-terrorism, border control, immigration, legal institutions and international cooperation, according to Interpol’s website. He is also listed on the website of China’s Ministry of Public Security as a vice-minister. In April 2018, the ministry disclosed that he was no longer a member of the Communist Party Committee that oversees the ministry.
In November 2016, he was named president of Interpol and is due to serve until 2020 – an ascension that was cheered on by China. Human rights advocates and academics soon raised concerns over his appointment. Critics feared that Beijing could seek to abuse his powers to track down and forcibly repatriate dissidents and fugitives abroad. At the time, Amnesty International deemed Meng’s appointment “at odds with Interpol’s mandate to work in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
Beijing has previously pressured countries to arrest and deport citizens accused of crimes such as corruption and terrorism.
Although Interpol cannot issue arrest warrents, it can issue colour-coded notices or worldwide alerts for law enforcement. The agency’s Red Notices are requests to locate and provisionally arrest an individual sought for prosecution or to serve a sentence pending extradition. These notices are issued by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country or international tribunal based on a valid national arrest warrant.
In 2014, red notices were issued for 100 Chinese fugitive officials abroad. In April 2017, Interpol issued a red notice for Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui at the request of Beijing. Interpol’s public red notice list on its website currently includes 44 people wanted by China.
Analysis
French police are currently investigating the disappearance of Interpol chief Meng Hongwei who was reported missing after travelling to his native China. Meng’s wife contacted police in Lyon – where Interpol headquarters are located – after she hadn’t heard from him since late September. She also received threats via phone and social media, the French interior ministry said.Hongwei hasn’t been seen since he departed from France on his way to China on September 29.
Meng’s wife and children who remained in Lyon have been placed under protection. Under China’s supervision law, the family and employer of a suspect must be notified within 24 hours of a detention except in cases where such communication would hinder an investigation. Meng’s wife has not been informed yet.
The South China Morning Post cited an unnamed source in reporting that he had been taken away shortly after arriving in China and was under investigation.
“France is puzzled about the situation of Interpol’s president and concerned about the threats made to his wife,” France’s interior ministry said. Interpol said in a statement that it is aware of reports in connection with Meng’s “alleged disappearance.”
“This is a matter for the relevant authorities in both France and China,” the statement said. Interpol said secretary-general Jurgen Stock is the full-time official responsible for the day-to-day running” of the agency.China has yet to publicly comment on Meng’s disappearance.
Assessment
Our assessment is that Meng’s sudden disappearance poses as serious cause for concern. The disappearance also raises questions over whether the prominent official is currently under investigation by Chinese authorities. We believe it could potentially put a strain on relationships between China and international organizations that work with the country.
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