Interpol, who after the Chinese Meng Honwei arrested and convicted of corruption
His predecessor disappeared from his bed and gave no trace of himself for some time before it was discovered that he had been arrested for corruption. But the next president may have an even less appealing profile to many, starting with Western countries. We are talking aboutInterpol, the international organization of the criminal police. The precedent of Meng Honwei it seemed to be the lowest point for this transnational association dedicated to police cooperation and the fight against international crime. Instead, in the annual meeting in Istanbul it could be chosen Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, a general of the United Arab Emirates with allegations of torture. This is not a trivial appointment, considering that Interpol represents the police from 194 countries and plays an important role in international operations, with implications not to be overlooked also on extraditions and collaboration between governments.
Who is Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, the possible new president of Interpol
Al-Raisi’s name has often ended up in the crosshairs of humanitarian organizations and international organizations for the accusation of torture and ill-treatment of political prisoners and dissidents, including Ahmed Mansoor, but also of the British academic Marc Hedges, accused of espionage in 2018 and sentenced to life in prison. Hedges was pardoned under pressure from London, Mansoor is still in prison. The candidacy of Al-Raisi it has sparked a fuss of protest across Europe, especially in France and Germany where parliamentarians have written to their respective governments asking to intervene. Human rights organizations have warned against the “inevitable loss of credibility”.
Al-Raisi is not the only candidate but he seems to be the favorite. With him there is the Chinese Hu Binchen. Even on his account there are alleged shadows of torture and disrespect for human rights. The appointment of another Chinese would then be an unprecedented factor, given that the previous president was indeed Chinese, namely that Meng Honwei who in 2017 was arrested while he had returned to China to visit relatives. Only to be condemned at 13 on corruption charges. In his place, the position was taken by the Korean Kim Yong Yan, who completed the mandate, extended by one year due to Covid, and now Beijing is claiming the presidency not concluded by Meng.
Europe is betting on Sarka Havrankova
The European Union, on the other hand, is betting on Sarka Havrankova, current vice president, chief of police of the Czech Republic and a career that began in the footsteps of the famous Belgian pedophile Marc Dutroux. The choice will tell a lot about the internal balance of an organization often accused of having become the shoulder of dictatorships and undemocratic countries to persecute dissidents and strike political opponents. According to a report from the Freedom House organization the Russia requests 40% total of the names entered in ‘red lists‘Interpol every year. A measure that allows arrests of people anywhere in the world, one of the most effective means of tracing the movements of dissidents. A provision for which the representatives of all countries vote, regardless of whether they are democratic systems or not.
The weight of the Emirates and China in international organizations
Also for this countries like Emirates and China they are interested in an armchair that can facilitate the hunt and capture not only of criminals but also individuals deemed dangerous to national security. According to someone at stake in the vote is the credibility of Interpol itself, hit by other scandals in the past as well. For example in 2008, when Jackie Selebi, the organization’s South African leader, was forced to resign for taking a $ 170,000 bribe from a drug dealer. At the trial he was later sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The world observes and is ready to receive signals about the influence of Beijing And Abu Dhabi on international organizations
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