Former Interpol chief's wife thinks husband might be dead

Meng-Hongwei-interpol Interpol President Meng Hongwei | Reuters

Former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei might be dead, claimed his wife Grace Meng in an interview with the BBC.

Meng Hongwei had disappeared into police custody after returning to China in September. Grace Meng, his wife, said she is not sure her husband is still alive in an exclusive interview with the BBC.

"I think it is political persecution. I'm not sure he's alive. They are cruel. They are dirty ... They can do anything," she told the interviewer.

Grace said she received threatening phone calls after the Chinese government announced that her husband was in custody in early October.

Meng Hongwei had disappeared after he returned to China in September. Grace said that the last contact she received from him was a text message asking her to wait for his call. Minutes later it was followed by a knife emoji.

An investigation was opened by the French authorities after Grace Meng reported her husband missing. An official enquiry was sent to the Chinese government asking for the whereabouts of Meng Hongwei by the Interpol.

The Chinese government admitted they had detained Meng saying he was being investigated for corruption.

Grace told the BBC that she hadn't told her children about their father's arrest and had told them that their father was on a long business trip.

Grace fears for her life and hence refused to show her face during the interview. Grace said she had spoken out to raise awareness of China's extrajudicial detentions. "I don't want any other wives and children like me," she said.

Meng Hongwei had resigned from his position as president of Interpol soon after his arrest.