Lebanon’s central bank chief appears before corruption hearing
1 year, 9 months ago

Lebanon’s central bank chief appears before corruption hearing

Al Jazeera  

Riad Salameh had previously rejected the presence of European investigators at the hearing, causing it to be postponed. Lebanese central bank chief Riad Salameh has appeared for the first time before a European delegation visiting Beirut as part of investigations into his personal wealth, judicial officials have said. Salameh, 72, is part of the Lebanese political elite widely blamed for a crushing economic crisis that began in late 2019 and that the World Bank has dubbed one of the worst in recent history. France, Germany and Luxembourg seized assets worth 120 million euros in March last year in a move linked to a French probe into Salameh’s personal wealth. They also examined the central bank’s ties to Forry Associates Ltd, a British Virgin Islands-registered company that listed Salameh’s brother as its beneficiary.

Bank Lebanon Beirut European Lebanese Salameh  salameh  chief  investigators  lebanese  officials  appears  hearing  european  presence  salamehs  lebanons  corruption  including  bank  central

History of this topic

Lebanon’s former central bank governor detained in corruption probe
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Lebanon’s former central bank governor detained in corruption probe

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s controversial former central bank governor was detained Tuesday after being questioned in several corruption cases, according to three judicial officials. Though he was widely celebrated for his role in Lebanon’s economic recovery after a 15-year civil war, Salameh left his post last year under a cloud, with several European countries probing his alleged financial crimes. Salameh was …

Lebanon’s former central bank chief Riad Salameh arrested
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Lebanon’s former central bank chief Riad Salameh arrested

Al Jazeera  

Arrest comes after top prosecutor interrogated Salameh over several financial matters, judiciary officials say. Lebanon’s former central bank governor, Riad Salameh, has been arrested after a hearing at the country’s judicial palace, according to Lebanese state media. The state-run National News Agency said Judge Jamal al-Hajjar, who holds the position of public prosecutor, detained 73-year-old Salameh after interrogating him on …

Germany confirms probe into former Lebanon central bank chief Salameh
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Germany confirms probe into former Lebanon central bank chief Salameh

Al Jazeera  

Prosecutors say Riad Salameh, the bank’s governor from 1993 to 2023, is being investigated for money laundering and other crimes. Prosecutors in Germany have confirmed they are investigating Lebanon’s former central bank chief for money laundering and other crimes and have issued an arrest warrant for him. Riad Salameh, the governor of Lebanon’s central bank from 1993 to 2023, is …

Lebanon’s interim central bank chief vows not to lend money to government, calls for economic reform
1 year, 3 months ago

Lebanon’s interim central bank chief vows not to lend money to government, calls for economic reform

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s interim central bank governor called on the country’s ruling class Friday to quickly implement economic and financial reforms warning that the central bank won’t offer loans to the state and does not plan on printing money to cover the huge budget deficit to avoid worsening inflation. Since taking office, Mansouri has been urging the government to pass …

Lebanon's interim central bank governor freezes assets of former chief and close associates
1 year, 4 months ago

Lebanon's interim central bank governor freezes assets of former chief and close associates

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Lebanon’s interim central bank governor …

Lebanon receives Interpol notice for its central bank governor who was no-show at Paris questioning
1 year, 7 months ago

Lebanon receives Interpol notice for its central bank governor who was no-show at Paris questioning

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Lebanon on Friday received an Interpol notice for the country’s embattled central bank governor who failed to show up in Paris earlier in the week for questioning in a key corruption case, officials said. Interpol listed Salameh’s notice on its website, adding that he is wanted by France for “criminal conspiracy with intent to commit offenses punishable by …

Top Lebanese official in IMF talks calls for central bank head to resign amid corruption allegations
1 year, 7 months ago

Top Lebanese official in IMF talks calls for central bank head to resign amid corruption allegations

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — The Lebanese official heading talks with the International Monetary Fund to bail out Lebanon’s tanking economy called Thursday for the country’s embattled central bank chief to resign, amid allegations of corruption and an international arrest warrant issued against him. Lebanon’s caretaker deputy prime minister, Saade Chami, told The Associated Press in an interview that the allegations against the …

France issues arrest warrant for Lebanese central bank governor
1 year, 7 months ago

France issues arrest warrant for Lebanese central bank governor

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — A French investigative judge Tuesday issued an international arrest warrant for Lebanon’s embattled central bank governor after he didn’t show up for questioning in France on corruption charges, a Western diplomat said. During a visit to Lebanon in March, the European delegation questioned Salameh about the Lebanese central bank’s assets and investments outside the country, a Paris apartment …

France issues arrest warrant for Lebanon’s central bank chief
1 year, 7 months ago

France issues arrest warrant for Lebanon’s central bank chief

Al Jazeera  

Riad Salameh calls the French warrant a violation of law as he is investigated over corruption allegations at home and abroad. French prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Lebanon’s central bank governor, Riad Salameh, who slammed the move and promised to appeal. During a visit to Lebanon in March, a European delegation questioned Salameh about the Lebanese central bank’s …

Lebanon Central Bank chief questioned by European lawyers
1 year, 9 months ago

Lebanon Central Bank chief questioned by European lawyers

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Under heavy security, Lebanon’s embattled Central Bank chief was questioned for the first time on Thursday before a visiting European legal team in a money-laundering probe linked to the governor. Judge Helena Iskandar, representing the Lebanese state in the questioning and the European probe, has charged Salameh, his brother Raja and associate Marianne Hoayek with corruption, judicial officials …

Lebanon’s Central Bank chief again charged with corruption
1 year, 9 months ago

Lebanon’s Central Bank chief again charged with corruption

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Central Bank chief was again charged with corruption on Wednesday, this time after failing to show up for questioning before a European legal team visiting Beirut in a money-laundering probe linked to the governor, officials said. In late February, Beirut’s public prosecutor Raja Hamoush charged the three with corruption, including embezzling public funds, forgery, illicit enrichment, money-laundering, …

Lebanon’s Central Bank governor charged with corruption
1 year, 10 months ago

Lebanon’s Central Bank governor charged with corruption

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Beirut’s public prosecutor on Thursday charged the governor of cash-strapped Lebanon’s Central Bank, his brother and an associate with corruption, Lebanese officials said. The 72-year-old Salameh was once hailed as the guardian of Lebanon’s financial stability but many now hold him responsible for the crisis, citing policies that drove up national debt and caused the Lebanese pound to …

European legal team arriving in Lebanon in corruption probe
1 year, 11 months ago

European legal team arriving in Lebanon in corruption probe

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — A European judicial delegation from France, Germany, and Luxembourg has started to arrive in Lebanon to probe the country’s Central Bank governor and dozens of other individuals over suspected corruption, the justice minister said Wednesday. The European judges look to question over a dozen individuals, notably the governor, his brother Raja Salameh, the heads of major commercial banks …

Lebanon Central Bank workers strike after judge raids HQ
2 years, 5 months ago

Lebanon Central Bank workers strike after judge raids HQ

Al Jazeera  

Judge Ghada Aoun was attempting to carry out an arrest warrant for the bank’s governor, Riad Salameh, who is accused of corruption. Beirut, Lebanon – Employees at Lebanon’s central bank have begun a three-day strike after a prosecuting judge attempted to arrest the bank’s governor. Judge Ghada Aoun, who authorised a judicial raid on the Lebanon Central Bank headquarters in …

Lebanon central banker probed in money laundering investigation
2 years, 8 months ago

Lebanon central banker probed in money laundering investigation

Al Jazeera  

The investigation revolves around money laundering and embezzling public funds in Lebanon between 2002 and 2021. Lebanon’s central bank head is one of the targets in a joint money-laundering probe spearheaded by three European countries over the alleged embezzlement of more than $330 million. Authorities in France, Germany and Luxembourg froze assets worth a total of 120 million euros on …

Lebanese judge charges central bank chief with corruption
2 years, 9 months ago

Lebanese judge charges central bank chief with corruption

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — A Lebanese judge said Monday she has charged the country’s central bank governor with illegal enrichment and money laundering during Lebanon’s economic meltdown. Riad Salameh’s brother, Raja Salameh, who was detained last week, was also charged with taking part in the crimes. The protest by the banks came after Aoun last week froze the assets of six of …

Lebanese judge charges central bank chief with corruption
2 years, 9 months ago

Lebanese judge charges central bank chief with corruption

Al Jazeera  

Investigative judge Ghada Aoun charges three-decade bank chief Riad Salameh, as well as his brother, with crimes. Lebanon’s central bank governor Riad Salameh has been charged with illegal enrichment and money laundering during Lebanon’s economic meltdown. Ghada Aoun, an investigative judge at Mount Lebanon district court, said on Monday that she had charged Governor Riad Salameh, along with his brother, …

Lebanese judge freezes assets of central bank governor
2 years, 11 months ago

Lebanese judge freezes assets of central bank governor

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — An investigating judge in Beirut on Tuesday froze some assets belonging to the country’s central bank governor, who is accused of corruption and dereliction of duties during Lebanon’s unprecedented economic meltdown. In an incident reflecting growing public anger, a man held up employees of a commercial bank in the western Bekaa region at gunpoint Tuesday, threatening to burn …

Lebanese central bank governor says corruption charges false
3 years, 1 month ago

Lebanese central bank governor says corruption charges false

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s central bank governor said Wednesday that he asked for an audit of transactions and investments during his tenure and the results showed no public money has been misused. Salameh said in a statement Wednesday that he was a wealthy investment banker before he became the head of the central bank in 1993. In his statement on Wednesday, …

France opens graft probe into Lebanon’s central bank chief
3 years, 6 months ago

France opens graft probe into Lebanon’s central bank chief

Al Jazeera  

French prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into money laundering allegations against Lebanon’s longtime central bank chief Riad Salameh, who is also accused of associating with an organised criminal group. French prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into money laundering allegations against Lebanon’s central bank governor, the prosecutor’s office said on Monday. The move comes on the heels of Switzerland launching …

Swiss open money-laundering probe of Lebanon’s central bank
3 years, 11 months ago

Swiss open money-laundering probe of Lebanon’s central bank

Al Jazeera  

The investigation is the latest blow of confidence to Lebanon’s crippled financial system. Beirut, Lebanon – Swiss authorities have requested that Lebanon’s judiciary cooperate with a money-laundering investigation into the country’s central bank, in the latest blow of confidence to the insolvent financial institution and its crestfallen governor. The probe centers on $400m in transfers allegedly tied to the bank’s …

Discover Related