South Korean is new chief of Interpol
SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES UAE’S ASSISTANCE IN 170 COUNTRIES; 10,000 CRIMINALS, INCLUDING 200 TERRORISTS, ARRESTED THIS YEAR
Kim Jong-yang has been elected for a two-year term at agency’s General Assembly in Dubai
Delegates attending Interpol’s General Assembly have elected South Korea’s Kim Jong-yang as the organisation’s new president yesterday in Dubai.
Members of 194 countries voted Kim as president for two years, beating Russia’s Alexander Prokopchuk, whose candidacy had raised concerns in the Europe and US about the risk of Kremlin’s interference.
There had been growing western calls for Interpol to reject Prokopchuk over fears that Moscow could abuse the role to target political opponents.
Interpol’s secretary-general Jurgen Stock, said that Kim — who had been serving as acting president — had been elected for a two-year term through a democratic voting process.
Interpol secretary-general Jurgen Stock yesterday praised UAE’s assistance in Interpol operations in 170 countries, saying that Interpol efforts helped to arrest 10,000 serious criminals this year, including 200 terrorists.
“My staff work tirelessly to support international police cooperation against terrorists, human traffickers and child abusers across 194 countries, irrespective of politics, religion or race,” he added.
Meeting in Dubai, UAE from November 18-21, the 87th session of the Interpol General Assembly comprised some 1,000 senior law enforcement officials from 180 countries. They discussed a range of policing issues ■ ■ such as the threats and opportunities posed by technology for police, as well as taking institutional decisions.
The General Assembly democratically elects the president and other executive committee members on a ‘one-country, one-vote’ basis, with each vote carrying equal weight.
Six new officials elected
The assembly also elected six new members of the executive committee, the 13-member body that provides guidance and direction to the organisation. Major General Ahmad Nasser Al Raisi, from the UAE interior Ministry, was elected delegate for Asia for a threeyear term by the Interpol executive committee.
By the end of the assembly, Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Commander-In-chief of the Dubai Police, handed the Interpol flag over to Hector Espinosa Valenzuela, Director General of the Chilean National Police, in preparation for next year’s Interpol General Assembly, which will be held in Santiago.
“We have been delighted and honoured to host this remarkable event in the UAE and our deepest hope is that you return home safely,” Maj Gen Al Merri said.