Lebanon’s Central Bank Governor Charged with Corruption in Final Months of Term

Lebanon’s Central Bank Governor Charged with Corruption in Final Months of Term

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,