After Riad Salameh appeared in court on Monday, Judge Bilal Halawi issued an arrest warrant for him, meaning he will remain behind bars while the case is heard.
A Lebanese judge ruled on Monday that Riad Salameh Former Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon to remain in prison While he faces charges of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from state coffers.
Lebanon’s financial prosecutor accused Riad Salameh last week of embezzling $42 million after his arrest and the interrogation of the country’s top prosecutor. Lebanon On several alleged financial crimes, but Salama insisted he was innocent.
After Salameh appeared in court, Judge Bilal Halawi issued an arrest warrant for him on Monday, meaning he will remain behind bars while the case is heard.
According to Reuters, judicial officials said Salameh arranged with lawyers to transfer money from the central bank through other accounts, eventually reaching his own account.
Riad Salameh.. Embezzlement of public funds
Following these accusations, the Lebanese Ministry of Justice filed a lawsuit against Salameh on charges of embezzlement of public funds.
Salameh ended his 30-year tenure as central bank governor a year ago, with several European countries investigating allegations of financial crimes.
Many in Lebanon blame Riad Salameh for the crippling financial crisis that has gripped the country since late 2019.
According to Lebanese media, a Lebanese judicial official said that Salameh appeared in court on the day of his arrest last week without a lawyer, believing that he was called as a witness and not a suspect.
Lebanon’s economic crisis
Many Lebanese depositors saw their savings evaporate or remain trapped in banks as a result of the decline of the national currency and the collapse of the banking system.
A small group of protesters gathered outside the Palace of Justice in Beirut to demand that Salameh remain behind bars.
Salameh was appointed in 1993 and was initially celebrated for his role in steering Lebanon’s economic recovery after its 15-year civil war, and for keeping the economy in balance during long periods of stagnation and political turmoil.
He has for years denied allegations of corruption, embezzlement and illicit enrichment. He insists his wealth comes from inherited real estate, investments and his former job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.
