France investigates Emirati Interpol chief for 'torture, acts of barbarism'

• 

French anti-terror prosecutors have started a preliminary probe into torture and acts of barbarism against Emirati General Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi who has been accused back in January of torture and arbitrary detentions in the UAE.

The Gulf Centrer for Human rights (GCHR) filed the complaint as it believes that Al-Raisi is guilty of torturing Emirati opposition figure Ahmed Mansour, when he assumed duties at the UAE's Interior Ministry.

Al-Raisi was elected head of Interpol in November, following huge UAE funding for Interpol. 

Human rights violations

Earlier, three European Parliament members wrote a letter dated November 11 to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to warn against the impact the General's appointment would have on Interpol.

"The election of General al-Raisi would undermine the mission and reputation of Interpol and severely affect the ability of the organization to carry out its mission effectively," they wrote.

In October 2020, 19 NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, expressed concern about the possible appointment of Al-Raisi, whom they described as being "part of a security apparatus that continues to systematically target peaceful critics."

Despite all accusations, the UAE Embassy in Germany rejected the charges and claimed that the new Interpol President is a "distinguished professional with a 40-year track record in community and national policing," according to DW.