Meng Hongwei, the former Interpol president, was on Wednesday expelled from the Communist Party of China after an investigation revealed that the 65-year-old was suspected of taking bribes and breaching disciplinary rules, the party’s anti-corruption watchdog said.
In a statement, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), China’s top anti-corruption agency and the highest internal-control institution of the Communist Party, said that an investigation into Meng was approved and he will be prosecuted for fraud, South China Morning Post reported.
ALSO READ: India gives Mahatma Gandhi’s sculpture to Croatia as part of birth celebrations
Meng, who also served as vice-minister for public security, disappeared last year during a visit to China from France and was later accused of accepting bribes.
The CCDI accused Meng of misusing his position and power for personal gain, splurging state funds to finance his family’s lifestyle and disregarding party principles.
Meng was elected as the Interpol chief in November 2016, becoming the first Chinese official to hold the position. He resigned in October last year.
Several human rights groups had voiced their concerns that China could use his position to pursue dissidents abroad.