Beirut’s public prosecutor on Thursday charged the governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, Riad Salameh, his brother and an associate with corruption, Lebanese officials said.
According to two judicial officials, Beirut's Attorney General Raja Hamoush charged Salameh, his assistant Marianne Howaiyak, and his brother Raja Salameh with embezzling public funds, forgery, illicit enrichment, money-laundering, and violation of tax laws. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.
One of the officials told The Associated Press the charges raised Thursday may delay an anticipated, follow-up visit by a European judicial delegation.
The delegation from France, Germany, and Luxembourg visited Lebanon to question Salameh and dozens of other individuals over suspected corruption after five European state opened cases against him.
Since 2019, Lebanon has been in the throes of the worst economic and financial crisis in its modern history, rooted in decades of corruption and mismanagement. Three quarters of the country’s population of 6 million now lives in poverty.
The governor, who has held the post since April 1993, still enjoys the backing of top politicians.
Just before the announcement Thursday, a German Embassy delegation showed up at the Justice Palace in Beirut to meet with Lebanon's chief prosecutor, Ghassan Oweidat. But Oweidat refused to meet with them, citing his work schedule, the official said.
No further details were provided and it wasn't immediately clear if Oweidat's action was connected to Hamoush's charges against Salameh, which were announced shortly after.
Activists, lawyers, and critics of Salameh have questioned the personal wealth the governor has amassed over the years, but he has repeatedly insisted he had earned it prior to his appointment as governor, while working as an investment banker for Merril Lynch for nearly two decades.
Salameh said his last salary as a banker was $2 million a year, and that he had a fortune worth $23 million, plus property he had acquired and “wisely invested” in to grow his wealth, before he became governor.
In comments to Reuters on Thursday, Salameh said the charges were "not an indictment" and pledged to abide by the judicial procedures.
"And as you know one is innocent till proven guilty by a court of law," he said in a written response to questions.
Salameh's current term is set to end in July. He said he will not seek to stay on but Lebanon's finance minister told Reuters that he would be difficult to replace.
