BEIJING: China announced Monday the Chinese head of Interpol, who vanished after returning to his homeland, was under investigation for possible criminal activity, and the world police organisation said he had resigned.
The revelations came as Meng Hongwei's wife voiced concern for his life after receiving a final text message from his phone with a knife emoji.
Beijing had remained tight-lipped about the fate of Meng, who is also China's vice minister for public security, since his disappearance was disclosed by French officials on Friday.
The National Supervisory Commission, which handles corruption cases involving public servants, broke the official silence early Monday, saying in a one-line statement that Meng "is currently under investigation on suspicion of violating the law".
Soon after, Interpol said it had received Meng's resignation "with immediate effect", and that the body will elect a new president at its general assembly next month.
It is the latest high-profile disappearance in China, where a number of top government officials, billionaire business magnates and even an A-list celebrity have vanished for weeks or months at a time.
When -- or if -- they reappear, it is often in court.
Meng, the first Chinese president of Interpol, was last heard from on September 25 as he left Lyon -- where the world police body is based -- for China.
The agency's secretary general Juergen Stock, who oversees day-to-day operations, had said Saturday that it was seeking "clarification" on his whereabouts from Chinese authorities.
French police had opened an investigation into Meng's disappearance last week, according to a source close to the inquiry.
Meng, 64, had lived with his wife and two children in France since being elected Interpol president in 2016.
Speaking to reporters in France on Sunday, Meng's wife Grace said she had received a message from his phone containing a knife emoji before his disappearance.
That day, she said he sent a message telling her to "wait for my call", before sending the emoji signifying danger.
"This matter belongs to the international community," she told a press conference.
"I'm not sure what has happened to him," she said.
Later, upon learning about the announcement from China's anti-graft commission, she told AFP that her husband's case will be under the watch of "international law and international public opinion", describing the situation as "political ruin".
China's recently established National Supervisory Commission holds sweeping powers to investigate the country's public servants with few requirements for transparency.
Although the commission did not detail the allegations against Meng, its mandate is to investigate corruption cases as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's anti-graft campaign.
Some critics of the effort -- which has punished more than one million officials -- say it also functions as a tool for Xi to eliminate his political rivals.
Meng rose up the ranks of the country's domestic security apparatus when it was under the leadership of Zhou Yongkang, a rival to Xi and the highest-ranking official to be brought down on corruption charges.
Zhou -- who was sentenced to life in prison in 2014 -- was subsequently accused of conspiring to seize state power and authorities have continued working to root out his influence.
He appointed Meng vice security minister in 2004.
In that role, Meng has been entrusted with a number of sensitive portfolios, including the country's counter-terrorism division, and he was in charge of the response to several major incidents in China's fractious western region of Xinjiang.
Critics of Meng's 2016 election to Interpol's presidency said he would use the position to help China target dissidents abroad under the guise of pursuing corrupt officials.
Interpol has downplayed the concerns, saying the president has little influence over the organisation's day-to-day operations, which are handled by secretary general Stock, a German.
The Chinese effort to track down corrupt officials abroad, known as Operation Fox Hunt, has led to claims in some countries that Chinese law-enforcement agents have been operating covertly on their soil without the approval or consent of local authorities.
China currently has 44 outstanding red notices, mostly related to murder, intentional injury and drug smuggling, according to Interpol's website.
During Meng's tenure, Interpol issued a red notice for fugitive Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui, who threatened to reveal corruption at the country's highest levels.
Authorities in China and Hong Kong have accused Guo, a real estate tycoon who resides in the United States, of laundering billions of dollars among other crimes.
Interpol's missing Chinese chief resigns amid Beijing probe
Interpol's missing Chinese chief resigns amid Beijing probe
- China’s ruling Communist Party said the Interpol officer was under investigation on suspicion of unspecified legal violations
- Meng is a senior security official in China as well as the head of Interpol
Ramadan lights illuminate London’s heart as mayor calls for unity
- A sign reading ‘Happy Ramadan,’ decorated with stars and crescent moons, will be illuminated from sunrise to sunset
- This year, the Muslim fasting month coincides with Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
LONDON: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has switched on the Ramadan lights as British Muslims prepare to welcome the fasting month this week.
“A beautiful celebration of the holy month and a reminder that our city is a beacon of hope, unity, and inclusivity. A city where diversity is a strength, and where everyone is loved and wanted,” Khan wrote on X.
The heart of London’s West End is now illuminated by 30,000 LED bulbs for the fourth consecutive year, celebrating culture, cuisine, and community during the holy month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
Rahima Aziz BEM, a trustee of the charitable Aziz Foundation, told Arab News that organizing the canopy of lights on Coventry Street, near Piccadilly Circus, has expanded every year since 2023.
“And what started as just a simple light installation has become something where you can really experience the spirit of Ramadan and what it has to offer,” she said.
For this year’s program, the Aziz Foundation has organized “Shared Light,” an interfaith art exhibition in the basement of the Zedwell Hotel, featuring 20 artists from across the UK who explore the values central to Ramadan, including love, peace, generosity, and hope.
The charity has also created an interactive digital map of halal and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, allowing visitors to plan their iftar meals from exclusive set menus and locate nearby prayer spaces and evening activities.
“Many young Muslims will choose to have iftar out with their friends and family, in central London. So, we wanted to provide them with more incentive to really spend and boost the local economy, through freebies and special discounts,” Aziz said.
An estimated 4 million British Muslims live across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, with over 1 million living in London alone, according to the 2021 census. London was the first major European city to adorn its central streets with Ramadan lights, which have become part of the city’s calendar alongside Hanukkah and Diwali.
A sign that reads “Happy Ramadan,” decorated with stars and crescent moons, will be illuminated nightly from 5:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m., and will then change to “Happy Eid” in celebration of Eid Al-Fitr in March. This year, Ramadan coincides with Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent begins on Feb. 18 and concludes on April 2. If the moon is sighted, Ramadan is expected to start on Feb. 17 and end on March 18.
“Eventually, we’ll get to a time where we’re sharing Ramadan with Christmas, which is just beautiful. Great opportunity for some cross-cultural experiences,” Aziz added.
Ramadan, which follows the lunar Hijri calendar, occurs approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year in relation to the Gregorian solar calendar. This year, Muslims in London will fast for between 12 and 14 hours daily. Iftar is held around 5:30 p.m. at the beginning of the month and around 6:30 p.m. as the month approaches the end. However, when Ramadan falls in the summer, the fasting period can last nearly 19 hours, and these hours vary across countries and regions within a country.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the Shahada, a profession of faith, prayer, giving alms, and performing Hajj. Muslims refrain from food, drink, and some activities during daylight for 30 days as a way to reflect on religion, life, and empathize with the poor.
“I grew up in London. I’ve been here most of my life,” Aziz said. “What is really special for me is seeing the curiosity about Ramadan and about Islam increase. Ramadan lights are about making people feel that London is a melting pot of diversity, for everyone.”
