West raises alarm over Russian as possible new Interpol chief

WASHINGTON — Several countries have expressed concern that Interpol might elect a Russian as its new chief despite criticism that Moscow has used the international police agency to punish political opponents.

Police chiefs meeting in Dubai are expected to vote Wednesday on a successor to Meng Hongwei, who went missing in China in September. Chinese officials, who admitted detaining him, later said Meng resigned after being charged with accepting bribes.

The United States “strongly endorses” the South Korean candidate to replace Meng, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday.

But the leading candidate for the job is Alexander Prokopchuk, a major general in the Russian Interior Ministry who is one of Interpol’s vice presidents.

The possibility of a Russian ascending to the presidency of Interpol has set off alarm bells in capitals including Washington and London. Based in the French city of Lyon, the agency is a clearinghouse for national police services pursuing suspects their borders.

In the past, Russia and other countries have been accused of abusing “red notice” alerts on perceived political enemies, leading to their being stopped at airports and detained.

Prokopchuk is well known within Interpol and considered a professional. He is believed to have the support of numerous countries that are not usually allies of Russia.

The South Korean candidate, Kim Jong Yang, is the acting president now, but he is not as well known as Prokopchuk. outside