Lebanon's detained former central bank governor faces new corruption charge

A Lebanese judge has charged nan country’s detained erstwhile cardinal slope politician pinch illicit enrichment and issued an apprehension warrant

BEIRUT -- Lebanon charged nan country’s erstwhile cardinal slope politician pinch illicit enrichment and issued an apprehension warrant against nan detained banker, nan 2nd successful little than 2 months, judicial officials said Thursday.

Riad Salameh, 74, was charged by nan first examining magistrate of Mount Lebanon Nicola Mansour complete an flat that was rented successful France to beryllium a substitute agency for nan cardinal slope if needed, nan 4 charismatic said connected information of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to nan media.

The officials said Salameh had rented nan flat from his “former partner” Anna Kosakova for astir $500,000 annually. They added that nan flat was mini and almost quiet flat isolated from for a fewer computers.

After questioning Salameh, Nicola issued an apprehension warrant for him. Salameh had been held by Lebanese authorities since early September.

Salameh has for years denied allegations of corruption, embezzlement and illicit enrichment. He insists that his wealthiness comes from inherited properties, investments and his erstwhile occupation arsenic an finance banker astatine Merrill Lynch.

In early September, Lebanon charged Salameh pinch nan embezzlement of $42 cardinal a time aft he was detained.

Salameh ended his 30-year term arsenic cardinal slope politician a twelvemonth agone nether a cloud, pinch several European countries probing allegations of financial crimes. Many successful Lebanon blasted him for nan crippling financial situation that has gripped nan state since precocious 2019.

He was appointed successful 1993 and initially celebrated for his domiciled successful steering Lebanon’s economical betterment aft a 15-year civilian war, and for keeping nan system connected an moreover keel during agelong spells of governmental gridlock and turmoil.

The embattled Salameh is besides successful nan midst of respective different cases against him, some locally and internationally.

France, Germany, and Luxembourg are besides investigating Salameh and adjacent associates complete alleged illicit enrichment and nan laundering of $330 million.

Salameh has criticized nan European investigation and said it was portion of a media and governmental run make him a scapegoat.

Meanwhile, nan U.S., nan U.K, and Canada person sanctioned Salameh and his adjacent associates, and France issued an world apprehension warrant for him, though Lebanon does not manus complete its ain citizens for extradition.