Lebanon arrests brother of embattled central bank governor over money laundering

Lebanon arrests brother of embattled central bank governor over money laundering
March 18, 2022, 6:55 am

Riad Salameh-Lebanese central bank governor/Facebook page

The Asharq Al-Awsat reported, according to the state-run news agency (NNA), Lebanese authorities on Thursday arrested Raja Salameh, the brother of the central bank governor, over suspicion of money laundering and illicit enrichment.

According to the NNA, Ghada Aoun, an investigative judge at Mount Lebanon district court, questioned Raja Salameh for several hours before placing him under arrest. The suit against Salameh was filed by a group of lawyers who accuse him of corruption.

The move comes two months after the same judge imposed a travel ban and froze some assets of the central bank governor, Riad Salameh, 71, who is accused of corruption and dereliction of duties during Lebanon’s unprecedented economic meltdown.

Local media have reported in recent months that the governor, his brother and an aide transferred money abroad despite capital controls imposed at home, a charge the governor has denied.

The central bank governor is also being investigated in several European nations, including Switzerland and France, for potential money laundering and embezzlement.

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Riad Salameh had steered Lebanese finances for nearly three decades, through post-war recovery and bouts of unrest. Once praised as the guardian of Lebanon’s financial stability, he has drawn increasing scrutiny since the small country’s economic meltdown began in late 2019.

Source: aawsat

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