Proven Corruption, China Gives 13-Year Prison Term to Former Interpol Chief

News24xx.com - The former Interpol chief accused of bribery was sentenced to 13 years in prison by a Chinese court on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Meng Hongwei, who was Interpol's first Chinese head, disappeared on his way back to the country from France in September 2018.

China later confirmed that he had been detained as part of President Xi Jinping's efforts to fight corruption.

Meng has admitted accepting bribes of more than $ 2 million.

Read more: Attack of Racism; Give Salute in the style of Nazis and Despicable Black Man, Married Wives Arrested

The 56-year-old police officer was also ordered by Tianjin No.1 People's Intermediate Court to pay a fine of two million yuan ($ 289,540; £ 222,711).

A court statement said Meng would not appeal the decision.

Meng disappeared in September 2018 during a visit to China from France, where Interpol's international police agent was located.

He is scheduled to serve as head of Interpol until 2020, but the organization said he resigned as president a few days after his wife reported him missing.

Chinese authorities later confirmed that he had been detained and, in October, said Meng was under investigation for allegedly taking bribes.

The Communist Party said that Meng had misused his position for personal gain, misused state funds to finance his family's "luxury lifestyle" and ignored the principles of the Communist Party.

Read more: Revealed! It turns out that this is the origin of the ammonium nitrate that caused the big explosion in Beirut

He was expelled from the party and stripped of all government positions, according to the party watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

Mr. Meng admitted his mistakes during last year's trial. His wife, who currently lives in France under political asylum, said the accusations against him were politically motivated.

Chinese President Xi has overseen an extensive and cruel anti-corruption campaign in which one million officials have been disciplined. Critics say this campaign has been used with great effect to silence some of its political opponents.

NEWS24XX.COM/FIR