Frnech judge arrives in Lebanon to question Salameh

The Observatoire Européen pour l'Integrité du Liban said Monday that French judge Aude Buresi will arrive in Lebanon in the upcoming hours to question Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh.

The interrogation will take place in the presence of First Investigative Judge of Beirut Charbel Abou Samra, the observatory said.

Abou Samra had scheduled last week a March 15 session for the interrogation of Salameh, his brother Raja and his assistant Marianne Hoayek.

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.

In January, a European judicial delegation from France, Germany, and Luxembourg visited Lebanon to question dozens of individuals over suspected corruption after five European state opened cases against Salameh.