Russia's Prokopchuk May Take Over as Interpol Head, Times Says

(Bloomberg) -- British officials expect Alexander Prokopchuk, a former major-general at the Russian Interior Ministry, to be elected as Interpol president as soon as Wednesday, The Times reported, without saying where it got the information.

The election would follow the resignation of former President Meng Hongwei, who is now being investigated by Chinese authorities under suspicion of accepting bribes and violating other state laws.

Meng’s election during a closed-door vote in 2016, seen as a coup for the Communist Party, was criticized by human rights groups who warned China might use the perch to facilitate the use of extrajudicial practice -- such as detention without charge.

Prokopchuk’s appointment may also raise similar concerns over Russia’s use of Interpol’s “red notice” -- a request to arrest an individual pending extradition. William Browder, for instance, a major investor in Russia before being barred entry in 2005, has been detained several times while Interpol in various countries sought to verify arrest warrants issued by Russia.

Prokopchuk is currently a vice president at Interpol.

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