Officials in Beijing announced Wednesday that former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei would be prosecuted because he spent “lavish” amounts of state funds, abused his power, and refused to follow Communist Party decisions, Reuters reports. The Chinese diplomat went missing six months ago while on a business trip from France, where he was based, to China. He later turned up in Chinese detention, facing allegations of corruption and abuse of power. China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection says an internal investigation showed the top global law-enforcement official “took bribes and caused serious harm to the party’s image.” They also say he abused his power for private gain and that he “wantonly and lavishly spent state funds to satisfy his family’s luxurious lifestyle” while on assignment in Paris.
