Interpol asked to track down jailed official's wife and fugitive businessmen

International crime fighters have been asked to help bring to justice Ao Man-long's wife, Chan Meng-ieng, and two businessmen who allegedly bribed the fallen minister, Macau's Commission Against Corruption said yesterday.

Interpol issued 'red notices' for its members for information on Ao's wife and businessmen Ho Meng-fai of San Meng Fai Construction and Engineering, and Pedro Chiang of Hong Kong-listed casino investor Honesty Treasure International Holdings, after a request from Macau's graft-busters. A commission statement said the interpol action would allow worldwide circulation of arrest warrants with a view to extradition.

Chan, a former government employee, moved to Britain in 2003. Ho was arrested in December 2006 but jumped bail. He has been tried in his absence in the Court of First Instance on bribery charges. Mr Chiang, also known as Lam Wai, fled Macau soon after Ao's arrest in December 2006.

The interpol website says a red notice does not equate to an international arrest warrant. The notices mean the people concerned are wanted by national jurisdictions, and Interpol's role is to help national police forces to identify and locate them with a view to arrest and extradition.