France opens probe into torture claims against Interpol president

Main Basic Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi is accused of involvement in torture and arbitrary detentions within the UAE.

Al-Raisi was inspector basic of the UAE's Inside Ministry earlier than taking Interpol's high job [Courtesy: Creative Commons]

French investigative judges on the Paris Tribunal have opened an inquiry into torture allegations towards Interpol President Main Basic Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi of the United Arab Emirates.

Two British residents, Matthew Hedges and Ali Issa Ahmad, who had been arrested within the UAE earlier than al-Raisi was elected president of the France-based world police company, will on Wednesday give proof towards him on the Specialised Judicial Unit for Crimes Towards Humanity and Battle Crimes of the Paris Tribunal, their legal professionals stated.

The 2 Britons filed a prison grievance towards al-Raisi with the prosecutors of the Paris Tribunal in October final 12 months below the precept of common jurisdiction.

In January, they filed a prison grievance straight with the judges of the Tribunal to open an investigation into claims towards al-Raisi.

The brand new Interpol president was on French territory on the time, visiting the worldwide police company’s headquarters in Lyon.

Al-Raisi was elected for a four-year time period as Interpol president in November final 12 months. He has been accused by human rights teams of involvement in torture and arbitrary detentions within the UAE.

The UAE has denied the allegations.

The accusations

Hedges was a doctoral pupil within the UAE when he was imprisoned for practically seven months in 2018 on spying fees. He stated he was tortured and at occasions held in solitary confinement with no entry to a lawyer.

Ahmad has stated he was arrested and tortured by the UAE safety brokers in the course of the 2019 Asian Cup soccer match he had attended within the Gulf nation.

In accordance with French regulation, “an open investigation ought to result in al-Raisi’s detention for questioning whereas he's subsequent on French territory”, stated the Britons’ worldwide lawyer, Rodney Dixon.

Al-Raisi joined the Emirati police drive in 1980 and labored there for a number of a long time. He grew to become the inspector basic on the UAE Inside Ministry in April 2015.