An Emirati general accused of torture was elected president of Interpol on Thursday, the global police agency said, despite concerns raised by the organisations. human rights and members of the European Parliament.
“Mr Ahmed Nasser AL RAISI of the United Arab Emirates has been elected to the post of President (4-year term),” Interpol said on Twitter.
General Al-Raisi, head of the United Arab Emirates’ security forces, will assume a largely ceremonial and voluntary role.
It is Interpol Secretary General Juergen Stock who runs the day-to-day management of the organization. Shares have a second 5-year maturity in 2019.
Complaints of “torture” have been filed against the Emirati general in recent months in France and Turkey, which are hosting the Interpol general assembly in Istanbul this week.
The appointment comes after the UAE generously funded the Lyon, France-based agency and accused Abu Dhabi of abusing Interpol’s so-called “red notice” system of wanted suspects to terrorize the country. father of dissidents.
Three members of the European Parliament wrote a letter dated 11 November to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warning about the impact of the general’s appointment on Interpol.
“The election of General Al Raisi will undermine the mission and credibility of Interpol and seriously affect its ability to carry out its mission effectively,” they wrote.
And in October 2020, 19 NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, expressed concern about the possible selection of Raisi, who they described as “part of the continued security apparatus. systematically targeting moderate critics”.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the feed provided.)
