The missing Interpol president Meng Hongwei has resigned as the agency’s president.
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.
His wife, Grace Weng, responded to the news by calling it "political ruin and fall!"
"I can't believe because the rule of law (in) China is his lifelong pursuit," she wrote in a text message to the AP.
The news of Mr Meng's resignations came hours after Mr Meng’s wife said that he sent her an emoji of a knife before his disappearance.
Ms 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 husband shared the image, he sent a message saying “wait for my call”.
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 Hollywood blockbuster X-men, was ordered by tax authorities in Beijing ordered her to pay taxes and penalties totalling $130 million (£100m).
Her whereabouts remains unknown but she posted on social media to apologise and to heap praise upon the ruling Communist party.
