LYON, France – INTERPOL has issued an internationally wanted persons Red Notice for Papa Massata Diack at the request of French authorities investigating an alleged international corruption scam involving sports officials and athletes.
The publication of the Red Notice targeting Mr Diack is in the framework of Operation Augeas, which INTERPOL launched in November 2015 after announcing it was coordinating a global investigation led by France.
Formerly a consultant with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and the son of former IAAF head Lamine Diack, Papa Massata Diack is wanted by France on charges of complicity in receiving bribes, aggravated money-laundering, and conspiracy in an organized group to invest, conceal or convert the proceeds of active corruption.
The Red Notice announcement follows today's publication of part two of a report by the Independent Commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) investigating a number of individuals, including former officials connected to the IAAF.
During its investigation the Independent Commission requested assistance from INTERPOL’s anti-doping unit to liaise with national law enforcement agencies in countries where potential infractions had been identified in order to share information.
INTERPOL facilitated the Independent Commission’s coordination with French authorities who agreed to launch an international inquiry into allegations including active and passive corruption, money laundering and criminal conspiracy.
In 2009 INTERPOL and WADA signed a cooperation agreement to provide a clear framework for cooperation between the two international bodies in tackling doping.