UAE security chief accused of torture may lead Interpol

AN Emirati general accused of overseeing the torture of British citizens could today be named as Interpol’s next president, raising concerns that the global police agency risks being exploited by repressive governments.

General Ahmed Naser Al-raisi, head of the United Arab Emirates’ security forces, is standing against one other candidate at the election in Istanbul, Czech Republic police chief Sarka Havrankova.

Interpol has received millions of dollars in funding from the UAE, and is facing claims that its “red notice” arrest warrants are being misused to target government critics.

If Gen Al-raisi’s bid is successful, it could also renew scrutiny of the Emirati leadership, which has been accused of hacking phones and abducting relatives from overseas.

Several legal complaints alleging torture have been filed against Gen Alraisi in France and Turkey, including one by the British academic Matthew Hedges.

Mr Hedges was imprisoned in the UAE for seven months after he was falsely accused of spying, and says he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of torture during his detainment.

A spokesman for the Emirati foreign ministry said: “Over 40 years, with the encouragement and support of UAE leadership, Al-raisi has modernised UAE policing with enhanced training, upgraded technology, and the promotion of women.”