Head of Lebanese Judiciary Calls for the Arrest of Riad Salameh
The Head of the Department of Public Prosecutions in the Lebanese Ministry of Justice, Judge Helana Eskandar, has called on the Beirut Public Prosecution to arrest the former Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Riad Salameh. This request is based on his potential responsibility for financial losses amounting to 76 billion dollars and the collapse of the Lebanese lira by 98 percent.
Calls in Lebanon are growing for the arrest of former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh following accusations of corruption, illicit enrichment, and his role in the financial crisis that the country has experienced. This seems to signal a clear indication of lifting the political protection cover from Salameh.
Judge Helana Eskandar, the Head of the Department of Public Prosecutions in the Lebanese Ministry of Justice, according to the National News Agency, has called on the Beirut Public Prosecution to arrest Salameh after he caused losses of 76 billion dollars and the collapse of the Lebanese lira by 98%.
For years, many Lebanese regarded Salameh as the backbone of the financial system until its collapse in 2019. At that time, Salameh’s position crumbled as the financial collapse led to impoverishing a large number of citizens and freezing the deposits of most savers in the banking sector, which was previously one of the largest sectors.
His reputation became further tarnished as European countries, one after another, began investigating whether he had exploited his position for embezzlement of public funds and to amass wealth.
French and German authorities issued arrest warrants against Salameh in May. Two red notices from Interpol indicated that he is wanted in both countries.
The red notice issued at France’s request includes charges such as organized money laundering, while the notice issued at Germany’s request confirms that he is wanted on charges related to money laundering as well.
In his final months in office, some officials called on him to resign, while others remained silent. In contrast, Salameh denies committing any violations and stated days before leaving his post that he “worked according to the law and respected the legal rights of others” during his tenure.
Riad Salameh’s deputy, Wissam Mansouri, took over his position.
What happened to Salameh marked a dramatic transformation for a man who was once seen as a potential leader. After assuming the position of Central Bank Governor, Salameh managed to build a good reputation as an expert in the financial system.
This image set him apart from the ruling elite, many of whom were former leaders of armed factions during the civil war that took place between 1975 and 1990. However, he enjoyed substantial support from them.
Salameh was a constant presence in international financial conferences, received numerous awards in the banking field, and wielded extensive powers due to his position before facing criticism for his management of the central bank.
