(Bloomberg) -- China's Communist Party expelled former Interpol President Meng Hongwei, months after he went missing during a trip to the country.
Meng was also removed from his government post as vice public security minister over violations that included the taking of bribes and abuse of power, according to a statement from the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The CCDI said his case had been referred for prosecution.
The disappearance and secretive investigation into the international law enforcement agency's first Chinese president shone a light on China's opaque legal system and has raised questions about its respect for international norms.
Meng used his position to seek employment for his wife and connived to use his authority for personal gain, according to the statement, released a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a visit to Italy, Monaco and France, where Interpol is based.
Read more: Bribery Probe of Interpol Chief Shows Opaque Chinese Justice
The CCDI also accused Meng of not adhering to party principles, refusing to implement decisions made by the party's central committee, and failing to report personal matters according to regulation.
Little News
His wife, Grace Meng, said she asked French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss her husband's disappearance ahead of Xi's visit to Paris this week.
Her husband had worked at Interpol headquarters in Lyon, and was reported missing on Sept. 29 after he left for China. There's been little information on his case since, but the Ministry of Public Security in Beijing said in October that he was being investigated on allegations including the acceptance of bribes and violation of other Chinese laws.
Reuters reported in January that Grace Meng had applied for asylum in France because she feared for her life.
To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Dandan Li in Beijing at dli395@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Brendan Scott at bscott66@bloomberg.net, Karen Leigh, Chris Kay
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