Lebanese judge requests arrest of Riad Salameh
The head of the lawsuits dept. at the Justice Ministry, Judge Hilana Iskandar, has filed an appeal against a decision by Beirut’s acting First Examining Magistrate Charbel Abou Samra that had allowed ex-Central Bank chief Riad Salameh to walk free following interrogation.
According to the National News Agency, Iskandar has asked the Beirut Accusatory Commission to arrest Salameh over several reasons that she mentioned in her appeal.
Once lauded for reviving Lebanon's economy, Salameh left office Monday after three decades in the job, wanted abroad and reviled at home after years of financial meltdown.
The 73-year-old French-Lebanese national is widely viewed as a key culprit in the country's dramatic economic crash, which the World Bank called one of the worst in recent history.
Salameh is also wanted by authorities in France and Germany for alleged financial crimes, with Interpol issuing Red Notices targeting him. Lebanon does not extradite its citizens.
One of the world's longest-serving central bank governors, he faces numerous accusations including embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion in separate probes in Lebanon and abroad.
Salameh has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and defended his legacy.
European delegations have made several trips this year to Beirut to question Salameh, his brother and others in his close circle.
In March 2022, France, Germany and Luxembourg seized assets worth $130 million in a move linked to a French probe into Salameh's personal wealth.
Earlier this year, Lebanon charged him with embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion.
The domestic probe was opened following a request for assistance from Switzerland's public prosecutor, who is investigating more than $300 million in fund movements by Salameh and his brother.
In February, Swiss media reported that 12 banks in the country had received up to $500 million in money Salameh is alleged to have embezzled.
Source: Naharnet
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