Lebanon Central Bank Governor Attends Corruption Hearing, EU Investigators Present

Lebanon Central Bank Governor Attends Corruption Hearing, EU Investigators Present

Lebanon's embattled Central Bank governor appeared Thursday for questioning for the first time before a European legal team visiting Beirut in a money-laundering probe linked to the governor.

Several European countries are investigating Riad Salameh, who in recent years has been charged with a handful of corruption-related crimes. Salameh has been Lebanon's central bank governor since 1993.

The questioning was originally scheduled for Wednesday. Salameh did not show up.

Judicial officials told The Associated Press that Judge Helena Iskandar, who is representing the Lebanese state at the questioning in the European probe, charged Salameh, his brother Raja and associate Marianne Hoayek with corruption and ordered detained after the Central Bank chief did not show up. Their assets were also frozen. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the press.

In addition to the European probe, there are other legal proceedings against Salameh underway in Lebanon. In late February, Beirut’s public prosecutor, Raja Hamoush, charged the three with corruption, including embezzling public funds, forgery, illicit enrichment, money-laundering and violation of tax laws.

The European delegation is investigating the laundering of some $330 million. The questioning was expected to last until Friday, the judicial officials said.

Lebanon is grappling with