Owaidat Issues Arrest Warrant against Bashir's Hospitalized Wife

Beirut Examining Magistrate Ghassan Owaidat issued on Monday an arrest warrant against the wife of Higher Relief Council chief Ibrahim Bashir after questioning her at hospital, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Owaidat issued last week an arrest warrant against the secretary-general of the HRC, who has been charged along with his wife with embezzlement, smuggling and money laundering.

The HRC helps Lebanese citizens and communities hit by natural and man-made disasters.

Owaidat failed last Tuesday to interrogate his wife for being hospitalized.

But on Monday, he headed to al-Hayat hospital, where she is in critical condition, to interrogate her, said NNA.

He later issued the warrant against her, the agency added.

Two others have also been charged.

Local media reports have said they have embezzled around $10 million.

The defendants face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.