Missing Interpol chief Meng Hongwei under investigation, China's anti-corruption watchdog says

Extract from ABC News

Updated 8 Oct 2018, 6:58am

Photo: Mr Meng was reported missing after travelling from France, where Interpol is based, to China. (AP: Wong Maye-E)

Related Story: Interpol president Meng Hongwei reported missing after travelling to China

China's anti-corruption watchdog says Chinese authorities are investigating Meng Hongwei, who heads the global law enforcement organisation Interpol, for suspected violations of the law.

Key points:

• Chinese authorities say Mr Meng is "currently under investigation"
• Mr Meng's wife says she has not heard from him since September 25
• Interpol says it has made a formal request for more information

Mr Meng, who is also Vice-Minister of Public Security in China, had been reported missing after travelling from France, where Interpol is based, to China.
"Public Security Ministry Vice-Minister Meng Hongwei is currently under investigation by the National Supervisory Commission for suspected violations of law," the Chinese anti-corruption body said in a brief statement on its website.
The statement did not specify the nature of the alleged legal violations, and was the first from China since Mr Meng's disappearance was reported in France on Friday.
When asked about the Chinese announcement, France's Interior Ministry said it had no information.
Interpol, which is based in the French city of Lyon, said it had made a formal request to China for information about Mr Meng.
Mr Meng's wife Grace, who remains in France, has been placed under police protection after receiving threats.
She told reporters in Lyon that she had not heard from her husband since September 25. Ms Meng said he sent her an image of a knife that day, which she thought was a warning that he was in danger.

Photo: Grace Meng did not want her face shown at the press conference. (AP: John Leicester)

Ms Meng read a statement during her press conference, but would not allow reporters to show her face, saying she feared for her own safety and the safety of her two children.
She said she was taking the unusual step of speaking out because she felt a greater responsibility.
"From now on, I have gone from sorrow and fear to the pursuit of truth, justice and responsibility toward history," she said.
"For the husband whom I deeply love, for my young children, for the people of my motherland, for all the wives and children's husbands and fathers to no longer disappear."
Reuters/AP