French prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Lebanon’s central bank governor, Riad Salameh,72 old, who has held his post for almost 30 years, after he failed to appear before Frech prosecutors to be questioned on corruption charges. The fortune he has amassed during three decades is investigated. It is suspected of having brokered Lebanese treasury bonds and eurobonds at a commission.
Beirut Public Prosecutor Raja Hamoush in late February charged Salameh, his brother and a close associate with corruption, including embezzling public funds, forgery, illicit enrichment, money laundering and violation of tax laws.He declared in a statement the arrest warrant is a violation of the law. Salameh has repeatedly denied all allegations against him. He is under investigation in Lebanon and at least five European countries for alleged financial crimes. It is not believed the arrest warrant will be actioned in Lebanon as the country does not extradite its nationals. However he will risk arrest when traveling to other countries.
