Interpol chief reported missing resigns amid Beijing investigation

News comes hours after Chinese authorities said Meng Hongwei was under investigation

The public security vice-minister was detained after ‘bringing trouble upon himself’, Beijing says (Reuters)

The missing Interpol president Meng Hongwei has resigned from his post, the agency has confirmed.

The news comes hours after Chinese authorities said Mr Meng was under investigation for unspecified violations of the law.

Mr Meng disappeared 12 days ago after he went to China for a work visit.

Mr Meng’s wife has said that he sent her an emoji of a knife before his disappearance.

Grace Meng said she believes that sending the image was her husband’s way of trying to tell her that he was in danger.

She also said that four minutes before her husband shared the image, he sent a message saying “wait for my call”.

A journalist holds the mobile phone of the wife of the former Interpol president Meng Hongwei (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Mr Meng, who is a Chinese government minister, lives in Lyon with his wife and children.

He has also previously served as head of the country’s counterterrorism office, drugs control commission, and coast guard.

His term as Interpol’s chief was due to run until 2020.

Mr Meng's disappearance came after a Chinese film star was "missing" for three months while being investigated for tax fraud.

Fan Bingbing, who appeared in the Hollywood superhero film X-Men: Days of Future Past, was ordered by Chinese authorities to pay taxes and penalties totalling $130m (£100m).

Her whereabouts remains unknown but she posted on social media to apologise and to heap praise upon the ruling Communist Party.