China admits detaining head of Interpol

The Chinese president of Interpol is under investigation on suspicion of breaking the law, authorities in China said.

The Communist Party’s watchdog for corruption and political disloyalty said Meng Hongwei, China’s vice minister of public security, is “suspected of violating the law and is under the monitoring and investigation” of the country’s new anti-corruption body, the National Supervision Commission.

The wife of Mr Meng said he had travelled back to China for work.

The Lyon-based international police agency said it had used law enforcement channels to ask China about Mr Meng’s status.

Mrs Meng said: “From now on, I have gone from sorrow and fear to the pursuit of truth, justice and responsibility towards history.”