Riad Salameh, Lebanon’s former central bank governor, was arrested Tuesday after being questioned about alleged theft, a judicial official told AFP.
The public prosecutor “arrested Salameh after questioning him for three hours on suspicions of embezzlement from the central bank exceeding $40 million,” said the official, who asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
It is Salameh’s first appearance before Lebanon’s judiciary since leaving his 30-year job without a successor at the end of July last year.
Salameh, widely regarded as a primary perpetrator in Lebanon’s severe economic meltdown, is facing a slew of charges, including embezzlement, money laundering, and tax evasion, in separate domestic and international investigations.
He is wanted in France for alleged financial crimes, and Interpol has issued Red Notices targeting him. Lebanon doesn’t extradite its nationals.
Salameh has continuously denied all wrongdoing.
Lebanon has frozen Salameh’s bank accounts, and Britain, Canada, and the United States have imposed sanctions on the former minister.
A German court revoked Salameh’s arrest warrant in June because he could no longer use his position to suppress evidence, according to prosecutors.
However, the court finding “confirmed the urgent suspicion with regard to the accusations made against the suspect”.