Judge sets March 15 session for Salameh's interrogation

First Investigative Judge of Beirut Charbel Abou Samra on Monday scheduled a March 15 session for the interrogation of Central Bank chief Riad Salameh, his brother Raja and his assistant Marianne Hoayek, the National News Agency said.

The judge will question them in “the public prosecution’s lawsuit against them on charges of embezzlement, money laundering, illicit enrichment and tax evasion,” NNA added.

Salameh categorically denies all accusations against him and has rarely appeared before the judiciary, despite numerous complaints, summonses, investigations and a travel ban issued against him a year ago.

Lebanon opened an investigation into Salameh's assets in 2021, after a request for assistance from Switzerland's public prosecutor probing more than $300 million in fund movements by the governor and his brother.

Riad Salameh has headed Lebanon's central bank since 1993.

Swiss media reported last month that banks in Switzerland are holding a substantial amount of millions of dollars Salameh is accused of embezzling.