Lebanon's former central bank governor detained in corruption probe

abcnews.go.com:

Officials say Lebanon’s controversial former central bank governor has been detained after being questioned in several corruption cases

BEIRUT — Lebanon's controversial former central bank governor was detained Tuesday after being questioned in several corruption cases, according to three judicial officials.

Salameh served a 30-year term as central bank governor beginning in 1993.

Though he was widely celebrated for his role in Lebanon's economic recovery after a 15-year civil war, Salameh left his post last year under a cloud, with several European countries probing his alleged financial crimes. He was blamed by many in Lebanon of being responsible for the country’s financial crisis since late 2019.

Salameh has repeatedly denied allegations of corruption, embezzlement and illicit enrichment. He insists that his wealth comes from inherited properties, investments and his previous job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.

Salameh was questioned Tuesday by the top public prosecutor, Judge Jamal Hajjar, for over three hours, according to the three officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case with the media.

Salameh was interrogated over several financial matters, including a case in which he allegedly hired a company called Optimum to manipulate financial statements and conceal Lebanon's haemorrhaging financial losses.

The officials said that Lebanon's Internal Security Forces transferred Salameh to a more secure prison but did not disclose further details. He is expected to remain in custody while he is interrogated. Hajjar is expected to file charges against Salameh in the next few days, after which his case will be transferred to an investigative judge.

Salam