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Lebanon Riad Salameh legal proceedings

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2026-08-03 17:57 UTC → 2026-08-10 14:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Former central bank governor Riad Salameh was arrested on 31 July 2026 after missing a court hearing on embezzlement, illicit enrichment and ~~money‑laundering~~ money-laundering charges brought by the new governor. Police found him at Bhannes Hospital north of Beirut, placed him under guard and later moved him to Roumieh Prison. Within days he was transferred back to Dahr ~~el‑Bachek~~ el-Bachek Hospital for heart and respiratory examinations. Salameh refused treatment, began a hunger strike and his health deteriorated, prompting concerns. On 31 July the judiciary ordered his custody, and by 17:57 UTC the same day he was moved from the hospital wing to a prison cell. He continues to deny wrongdoing, claiming he is being scapegoated for Lebanon’s economic collapse that began in 2019. The investigation also targets ~~family‑linked~~ family-linked firms and assets seized across Europe, intensifying public calls for accountability amid the country’s prolonged crisis. By 10 August, a Lebanese judge indicted Salameh and former Bank Audi head Samir Hanna on charges including bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, and illicit enrichment. The indictment follows a criminal complaint by current governor Karim Souaid regarding the misuse of public funds. The charges allege the use of shell companies to misappropriate central bank funds to fraudulently purchase shares and bonds from commercial banks. Reports from the Swiss foundation Accountability Now suggest suspected embezzlement includes $154 million in 2010 and $102 million in 2012. While Hanna remains free after paying $1 million in bail, Salameh remains in custody and faces multiple international investigations in France, Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg.

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