International police boss feared ‘KIDNAPPED’ by China as frantic manhunt begins

Meng Hongwei, the president of Interpol — the world’s largest international police organisation, which provides support to law enforcement agencies across 192 countries — has not been seen since last week.

On Friday Mr Hongwei’s wife reported him missing to French authorities.

The whereabouts of the businessman have been unknown since he left Interpol HQ in Lyon to travel to China on September 25.

Mr Meng is a Chinese national and former Communist Party official.

He previously served as China’s vice minister of public security and was elected to lead Interpol in 2016.

His term is expected to run until 2020, according to the company’s website.

He is still listed as a vice-minister for the Chinese government according to the South China Morning Post.

The Hong Kong-based newspaper said the 64-year-old “was taken away for questioning by discipline authorities as soon as he landed in China last week”.

Sources told the newspaper he was being questioned.

It is currently unclear why he was being investigated and where he is being held.

Officials in China have not yet made any public comments about the Interpol chief.

The French interior ministry said: “Exchanges with Chinese authorities continue.

“France is puzzled about the situation of Interpol’s president and concerned about the threats made to his wife.”

But the minister did not provide any further details.

Interpol said in a statement: ”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’s General Secretariat headquarters will not comment further.”

Mr Hongwei was the first Chinese official to become Interpol president, Chinese state news agency Xinhua said at the time.