Lebanon’s central bank chief appears for a hearing on corruption
Riad Salameh had previously rejected the presence of European detectives at the hearing, causing it to be postponed.
Lebanese central bank chief Riad Salameh has made his first appearance before a European delegation visiting Beirut as part of an investigation into his personal wealth, judicial officials said.
Salameh and his legal team, including a French lawyer, arrived at the Palace of Justice in Beirut on Thursday morning and the hearing began soon after.
He was due to appear at the hearing on Wednesday, but refused to attend, arguing that the presence of the European investigators was “contrary to [Lebanon’s] national sovereignty”.
Salameh, 72, is part of the Lebanese political elite widely blamed for a crushing economic crisis that began in late 2019 that the World Bank has called one of the worst in recent memory.
He faces charges of crimes, including embezzlement, in separate investigations in Lebanon and abroad, with investigators examining the fortune he has amassed over three decades at work.
Salameh has repeatedly denied any allegations.
France, Germany and Luxembourg seized assets worth 120 million euros ($127 million) in March last year in connection with a French investigation into Salameh’s personal wealth.
The European investigation is investigating allegations of financial misconduct, which may include money laundering and embezzlement.
The delegation has submitted some 100 questions to Lebanese judge Charbel Abu Samra, who will conduct the questioning in the presence of European officials for procedural reasons, a separate judicial source previously told AFP.
Salameh is appearing “as a witness” and will not be charged or arrested, the second source said, adding that the head of the central bank – dubbed the Banque du Liban – faces several days of questioning.
First no show
The judiciary on Wednesday rejected Salameh’s claim that the presence of the foreign investigators was a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, and the hearing was moved to Thursday.
In January, European investigators interviewed bank officials in Beirut about the transfer of money to countries where Salameh has significant assets.
They also investigated the central bank’s ties to Forry Associates Ltd, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands that listed Salameh’s brother as a beneficiary.
Forry is suspected of brokering Lebanese government bonds and Eurobonds against a commission, which would then have been transferred to bank accounts abroad.
Salameh rarely appeared before investigating judges, despite numerous complaints and subpoenas.
Last month, Lebanese authorities charged Salameh with embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion as part of their own investigation.
On Wednesday, a new complaint was filed against him, including for bribery and illicit enrichment.