Interpol chief resigns amid probe

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- The international police agency Interpol announced Sunday the resignation of its president, South African Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

Selebi, has been placed on extended leave in South Africa on suspicion of corruption, BBC reported. South African prosecutors announced Friday that he would be charged with corruption, but did not say when.

He is alleged to have received $170,000 in bribes from businessman Glen Agliotti, a convicted drug smuggler accused of involvement in the 2005 killing of mining magnate Brett Kebble.

Selebi denies allegations of corruption or links with organized crime, the BBC said.

In his resignation letter, Selebi said he was stepping down "in the best interests of Interpol and out of respect for the global law enforcement community" a statement said.

Ronald Noble, the secretary-general of Interpol, praised Selebi's work with the police organization and said the corruption allegations against him had "nothing to do with his position as president of Interpol."

However, Noble said "corruption is one of the most serious offenses that any police official can be accused of."