Ukraine may suspend its Interpol membership if agency presided by Russian, Interior Minister Avakov said

Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov does not rule out that if a Russian representative is elected president of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), Ukraine may suspend its membership in this organization.

"Russia's probable presidency of Interpol is absurd and contrary to the spirit and goals of the organization. If the arguments of Ukraine and a number of other countries are not heard, Ukraine will consider suspending its membership in the ICPO," the minister wrote on social media, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrinform.

Earlier, MEP Rebecca Harms called on EU countries to withdraw from Interpol if the organization is headed by its vice president, Major-General Alexander Prokopchuk, who earlier served as head of the National Central Bureau of Interpol of the Russian Interior Ministry.

Read more: Interpol tells member states to ignore Russia's attempts when it pursues its interests through organization

The Ukrainian delegation headed by Interior Minister Arsen Avakov participates in consultations on the election of a new Interpol chief and opposes the appointment of a Russian representative to this post.

The new Interpol head will be elected on Nov. 21. The Interpol chief is to be re-elected after the head of this police organization, Meng Hongwei, went missing in late September and subsequently appeared in China, where he is charged with corruption.

Read more: Interpol cancels arrest warrants for most Yanukovych’s accomplices, prosecutor Horbatiuk says