Lebanon’s bank chief Salameh in hot seat as French judge arrives in Beirut

The French judge will question Riad Salameh over the central bank governor’s alleged involvement in financial crimes.
Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh gestures during an interview with AFP at his office in the capital Beirut on December 20, 2021. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)
Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh gestures during an interview with AFP at his office in the capital Beirut on Dec. 20, 2021. - JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images
Beatrice Farhat headshot
Beatrice Farhat
@beatricefarhat

BEIRUT — A French judge was scheduled to arrive in Lebanon on Monday to question the country’s powerful central bank governor Riad Salameh over a number of alleged money laundering and financial crimes, the European Observatory for the Integrity of Lebanon announced in a statement.

Judge Aude Buresi will interrogate Riad Salameh in the presence of First Investigative Judge of Beirut Charbel Abou Samra in a hearing set for Wednesday.

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