Lebanon's ex-central bank chief arrested over financial crime claims

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Sep 2024 18:29
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Lebanon's public prosecutor ordered Riad Salameh’s arrest following three hours of questioning on suspicions of embezzlement from the central bank exceeding $40 million.

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Riad Salameh, the ex-governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, listens to a journalist's question during a press conference, in Beirut, on Nov. 11, 2019. (AP)

Lebanese authorities took the unprecedented step on Tuesday of arresting former central bank governor Riad Salameh after questioning him over alleged embezzlement, AFP reported, citing a judicial source.

Salameh, who served in the role for nearly three decades, is under scrutiny for allegedly amassing a significant fortune and facing multiple accusations, including embezzlement, money laundering, and tax evasion, both domestically and internationally. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

According to the judicial source, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak to the media, Lebanon's public prosecutor ordered Salameh’s arrest following three hours of questioning "on suspicions of embezzlement from the central bank exceeding $40 million," with the funds allegedly transferred abroad.

This marks the first time Salameh has appeared before Lebanon’s judiciary since stepping down from his 30-year tenure at the end of July last year without a successor. He is widely regarded as a key figure in Lebanon's severe economic collapse, which began in late 2019.

He arrived at the judge's office "without a lawyer" and chose to waive his right to have a lawyer present when asked, according to the source.

The questioning pertained to a case entirely separate from other ongoing investigations, the source added, noting that Salameh’s responses were deemed unconvincing by the judge, who subsequently ordered his arrest.

Salameh has since been transferred to a detention facility in Beirut's Ashrafieh area, where he may be held for up to four days unless formally charged.

The former central bank governor is also wanted by French authorities for alleged financial crimes, with Interpol having issued Red Notices against him. However, Lebanon does not extradite its citizens.

Lebanese authorities have frozen Salameh’s bank accounts, while the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States have imposed sanctions on the former official.

In June, a German court revoked an arrest warrant against Salameh, citing that he no longer held a position that could suppress evidence. Nevertheless, the court maintained that the suspicion regarding the allegations against him remained "urgent".

In March 2022, authorities in France, Germany, and Luxembourg seized assets worth €120 million ($130 million) as part of an investigation into Salameh’s wealth. European investigators have questioned Salameh in Beirut, as well as other individuals, including his assistant Marianne Hoayek, his brother Raja, a Lebanese minister, and central bank audit firms.

Following the issuance of the Interpol Red Notices, a local judge questioned Salameh, confiscated his French and Lebanese passports, imposed a travel ban, and released him pending further investigations.

Since late 2019, Lebanon has been engulfed in an economic crisis, described by the World Bank as one of the worst in modern times, plunging many into poverty.