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 (NNA) said Judge Jamal al-Hajjar, who holds the position of public prosecutor, detained 73-year-old Salameh after interrogating him on Tuesday.
It is the first time Salameh has appeared before Lebanon’s judiciary since he left his post at the end of July last year without a successor.
Salameh was the governor of the central bank, the Banque du Liban, for 30 years. But his final months were marred by allegations of financial crimes including illicit enrichment through public funds by authorities in Lebanon and several other countries.
He is wanted by authorities in France for alleged financial crimes, with Interpol issuing “red notices” targeting him. Lebanon does not extradite its citizens.
