BEIRUT, LEBANON – European investigators began questioning high-profile witnesses in Lebanon as part of a probe into central bank governor Riad Salameh’s wealth, a judicial official told AFP Monday.
The long-serving central bank chief is among top officials widely blamed for Lebanon’s unprecedented economic crisis, dubbed one of the worst globally in recent modern history by the World Bank.
In March, France, Germany and Luxembourg seized properties and frozen assets worth 120 million euros (US$130 million) in a major operation linked to a probe launched by French investigators into 72-year-old Salameh’s personal wealth.
Investigators from the three countries on Monday morning questioned Saad Andary, a former central bank vice governor, and Khalil Kassaf, a former employee at the banking control commission, the source said.
Two Lebanese judges “will ask questions on behalf of the Europeans to the two witnesses”, he added, requesting anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.
An official had confirmed to AFP last month that delegations from the three countries would visit Lebanon in January to conduct investigations into financial affairs linked to Salameh.
Lebanon opened a probe into Salameh’s wealth last year, after the office of Switzerland’s top prosecutor requested assistance with an investigation into more than $300 million allegedly embezzled out of the central bank with the help of his brother.
In June, a Lebanese prosecutor probing Salameh on suspicion of financial misconduct requested charges be leveled against him based on preliminary investigative findings, a court official said at the time.
Both Salameh brothers have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
The central bank chief has remained at the helm despite the probes and a travel ban imposed by Lebanese courts.