Judge Abu Samra resumes Salameh's interrogation
Central Bank governor Riad Salameh showed up Tuesday for an interrogation session at the Justice Palace before Judge Charbel Abu Samra.
Last week, Abu Samra questioned Salameh and adjourned the interrogation until this week.
On Monday, Judge Gabi Shaheen ordered the precautionary seizure of the property of Salameh, a judicial official told AFP.
Salameh has been the subject of a series of judicial probes both in Lebanon and abroad into the fortune he has amassed during some three decades in the post.
In March 2022, France, Germany and Luxembourg seized assets worth 120 million euros in a move linked to a probe into Salameh's wealth.
In February, Lebanon charged Salameh with embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion as part of its own investigations.
The domestic probe was opened following a request for assistance from Switzerland's public prosecutor, who is looking into more than $300 million in fund movements by Salameh and his brother.
Salameh is wanted in France and Germany, and the Interpol has issued a Red Notice pursuant to the arrest warrants.
Lebanon does not extradite its nationals but Salameh could go on trial in Lebanon if local judicial authorities decide the accusations against him are founded.
18 July 2023, 16:33
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Salameh is no saint but any developing country would be extremely fortunate for a Central Bank Governor that stabilized currency for 20 years while under armed occupation by Syria then Iran’s Basij. He is a diversion to the economic & banking crisis caused by political mafia and Basij occupation. Real culprit is Hizbollah that caused an exodus of western firms, assassinated Hariri and M14 martyrs introducing political risk & sky-high interests that ended investments; blocked government & shut down Beirut to stop Hariri court; caused billions in EDL deficits; made Lebanon a pariah state aligned with criminal Iran; destroyed independence and sovereignty turning Lebanon into Banana Republic, set up illegal crossings responsible for $20 billion reserve loss since 2019. Yes Hizbollah and its Useful Idiots are the main culprit. Salameh maintaining stable lira for so long is a miracle. He would be richer if stayed with investment firms. However, he is guilty for his actions since 2019.
