Interpol President Meng Hongwei goes missing after trip to China: 5 things to know

Meng Hongwei was formerly China's deputy minister of public security, a position which critics said gave him control over the country's secret police.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 4, 2017 Meng Hongwei, president of Interpol, gives an addresses at the opening of the Interpol World Congress in Singapore. An investigation into Meng Hongwei's disappearance was launched on October 5, 2018 according to a source close to the case. Meng Hongwei had not been heard since travelling to China at the end of September. / AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN

Paris: French Police on Friday began investigations into Interpol President Meng Hongwei’s mysterious disappearance during his visit to his native country China. The International Criminal Police Organization commonly known as Interpol, is the international organization that facilitates international police cooperation. FIVE THINGS WE KNOW SO FAR:

• Meng’s wife, who lives with him and their children in Lyon, southeast France reported about his disappearance to the organisation in September, reports say. His wife said she last heard from him 10 days ago, a spokeswoman for Interpol told CNN. She refused to say if Meng was on official business in China when he was last heard.
• "He did not disappear in France," a source close to the inquiry told news agency AFP. The South China Morning Post quoted a source as saying Meng was "taken away" for questioning in China.
• The 64-year-old is a senior Communist Party official in China.
• In a carefully-worded statement the Interpol said: "Interpol is aware of media reports in connection with the alleged disappearance of Interpol President Meng Hongwei. This is a matter for the relevant authorities in both France and China," Interpol said in a statement.

#NEWS - Media statement concerning INTERPOL President Meng Hongwei. pic.twitter.com/P46AeXsGiS

— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) October 5, 2018

• According to news agency IANS, Meng was formerly China's deputy minister of public security, a position which critics said gave him control over the country's secret police. He had also served as director of the coastguard and deputy head of the Chinese state oceanic administration. The first Chinese leader of Interpol, which connects the law enforcement agencies of its 192 member countries, Meng was elected the organisation's head in November 2016. He replaced French police officer Mireille Ballestrazzi and was due to serve till 2020.