Lebanese justice will question the governor of the Central Bank Riad Salamé in early August on cases of embezzlement of public funds and tax evasion, a judicial source told AFP on Monday.
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Lebanon is plagued by the worst economic crisis in its history, with half of the population now living below the poverty line while the national currency continues to unscrew.
Suspicions of money laundering, embezzlement and tax evasion
More than two months ago, the Lebanese justice opened an investigation into the fortune of Riad Salamé, which is already the subject of ongoing investigations in Switzerland and France and of a complaint in the United Kingdom.
According to the judicial source, Riad Salamé will be questioned in early August by the deputy prosecutor at the court of cassation, Jean Tannous, for "
embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, money laundering and tax evasion
".
The local investigation "will
cross
" the investigations launched in Europe, affirms the same source according to which the decision to question Riad Salamé "
and the proceedings brought against him are based on internal and external data
" requiring that he be questioned.
Riad Salamé targeted by several investigations
Already targeted for several months by an investigation in Switzerland for "
aggravated money laundering in connection with a possible embezzlement to the detriment of the Banque du Liban
", two complaints were filed in April in France against the governor, who owns several properties there.
The French investigation was entrusted in early July to anti-corruption investigating judges.
It should in particular make it possible to clarify the origin of the rich real estate heritage of Riad Salamé, a figure now hated by his people as the country sinks into the worst economic crisis in its history.
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Riad Salamé, 71, arrived at the head of the Central Bank in 1993, is suspected by a large part of the population of having, like the Lebanese leaders, led the country adrift and of having transferred large sums of money. abroad during the popular protest of October 2019. Riad Salamé defended himself in the media, believing to be a "
scapegoat
" and claiming to have made the heritage he held in 1993, when he took it, bear fruit. function as governor of the central bank.
