Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Friday, Dec 27, 2024

Salameh to appear before Lebanese judiciary over Interpol warrant

Salameh to appear before Lebanese judiciary over Interpol warrant

Lebanon Central Bank Gov. Riad Salameh will appear before General Prosecutor Imad Qabalan on Wednesday to be informed of the Interpol warrant issued against him by the French judiciary.
It is part of an investigation into Salameh surrounding charges of “corruption, forgery, money laundering and embezzlement,” a judicial source said.

Salameh had failed to appear before a Paris court on May 16 for questioning, prompting French financial investigating judge Aude Buresi to issue an Interpol arrest warrant.

The governor’s brother, Raja Salameh, and his assistant, Marian Howayek, were told on Tuesday to appear before the Paris criminal investigation department of the Public Prosecution, on the scheduled dates of May 31 and June 13, respectively.

The Internal Security Forces, which were previously tasked with notifying the governor of his court hearing, reported to the judiciary that they were “unable to locate” Salameh.

The judicial source said Qabalan “will inform Salameh of the red notice on Wednesday, confiscate his passport and leave him subject to investigation.”

Qabalan is expected to request “the file for Salameh’s extradition from France, with a request for his surrender along with evidence against him.”

Meanwhile, a judicial source denied to Arab News that Lebanon had received an arrest warrant from the German judiciary against Riad Salameh, similar to the Interpol warrant.

The source said: “No one has contacted the public prosecutor, Judge Ghassan Oueidat, to inform him orally about the warrant.”

The source added that he believes “there is a unification of judicial procedures in Europe, and therefore the notification of the German side about the French warrant is part of these procedures between France and Germany.”

The Lebanese judiciary refuses to extradite Lebaneses citizen based on foreign requests, except under specific conditions according to the penal code.

If the French judiciary sends Salameh’s file to the Lebanese judiciary, “the request will be studied to determine the extent of the availability of the French charges against Salameh, after which the public prosecutor will submit a report to the justice minister, who will, in turn, submit the extradition request to the Cabinet for consideration,” the source added.

There is no judicial treaty between Lebanon and France for the exchange of wanted individuals, though the idea has previously been floated.

In the case of the governor, who is also being pursued in Lebanon for a financial case, “he is being prosecuted for both cases before the Lebanese judiciary due to their connection to each other,” the source added.

The arrest warrant against the governor was discussed during a joint parliamentary committee meeting on Tuesday.

After the session, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab said: “We did not accept the presence of a representative of the governor during the session. There are arrest warrants against him, and there is frustration among MPs about what we have reached.

“There is a wish that the governor resigns from his position, as the government will not take any action. The situation is not good, and Lebanon cannot continue like this. This becomes a precedent.”

Salameh’s term ends at the end of July, but the Lebanese government cannot dismiss a Central Bank governor.

Other parliamentary blocs have refrained from expressing their opinion on Salameh, and are waiting for “the judicial decision and the government's decision, away from political bidding.”

Parliamentary committees permitted the Central Bank to print currency notes of larger denominations, with a higher value than the current 100,000 Lebanese pound note.

As a result of the Salameh case, there are rumors that Lebanon could be placed on the gray list of countries failing to combat money laundering.

A ministerial source said that such a move “would be a major new blow to Lebanon, which has been suffering from a financial deterioration since 2019 and has not yet reached a final agreement with the International Monetary Fund.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Israeli Military Operations in Gaza, Netanyahu's Corruption Trial, and Global Political Shifts: A Complex Interplay of Geopolitical and Economic Dynamics
Global Developments: Vaccine Controversy, Syrian Rebuilding, Natural Disasters, and Escalating Geopolitical Tensions
Israel's Strategic Maneuvers and U.S. Legal Actions Amidst Syria's Political Upheaval
Global Military Shifts, Gender Inequality, and Economic Alliances: Key Developments in the Post-Assad Era
International Condemnation and Mediation Efforts in Response to Israeli Actions in the Golan Heights Amid Middle Eastern Tensions
Global Tensions and Efforts for Peace: Cross-Cultural Dialogues, Regional Conflicts, and International Diplomacy
Saudi Arabia's Expanding Global Influence: From Water Management Leadership to Cultural and Economic Partnerships
Global Diplomatic Advances: Expanding Judicial, Human Rights, and Geopolitical Partnerships in the Middle East and Beyond
Strengthening UK-Gulf Relations and Addressing Global Challenges: A Diplomatic Overview
Cultural Heritage, Political Change, and Economic Growth: Key Developments Across the Middle East
Key Developments in Middle East Relations, Judicial Reforms, and Energy Partnerships Highlight Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Ambitions
Economic Growth and Innovation Drive Middle Eastern Developments: A Look at Egypt's Treasury Bill Success, Saudi Arabia's Expanding US Relations, Sustainability Initiatives, and Vision 2030 Achievements
UK Considers Delisting HTS Amid Complex Regional Dynamics and Global Security Implications
Global Developments: Saudi Arabia Embraces Cashless Innovation, Syria's Human Rights Struggles, Trump's Controversial Plans, Ghana's Leadership Shift, South Korea's Political Crisis, and Saudi-Japan Economic Partnership
Political Turmoil and Economic Ambitions: Macron's Coalition Efforts, MENA Startup Surge, and Global Initiatives in Integration and Innovation
Turkiye Advocates for Syrian Unity Amid Regional Turmoil; Israeli-Lebanese Tensions and Iran's Strategic Moves Highlight Middle Eastern Shifts
Kanlaon Volcano Erupts in the Philippines and Disrupts in the Middle East: Political Shifts, Oil Market Ripples, and Regional Instability
Global Turmoil: Taiwan Enhances Defenses, Indian Schools Face Bomb Hoaxes, and Middle East Conflicts Escalate
Global Political Shifts: From Trump's Strategic Appointments to Middle Eastern Power Realignments
Escalating Conflicts and Strategic Shifts Across the Middle East and North Africa
Syria's Historic Transition: The Fall of Assad and New Geopolitical Dynamics
Global Shifts: Saudi-UK Trade Goals, Syrian Regime Change, and U.S. Post-Assad Strategy
Saudi Arabia's Multi-Faceted Strategy: Embracing Sustainability, Tourism Excellence, and Regional Stability
Saudi Arabia Advances Transparency and Partnerships in Vision 2030 Push
Saudi Arabia Navigates Post-Assad Syria, Fossil Discoveries, and Economic Growth Amidst Regional Turmoil
Geopolitical Maneuvers and Sustainable Developments: Israel's Buffer Zone Tactics, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Innovations, and Egypt's Aviation Advancements
NASA's Artemis II Delayed to 2026, While Saudi Arabia Advances Cultural and Humanitarian Initiatives
Key Global Developments: Saudi Oil Price Adjustments, Surging Makkah Tourism, Syrian Conflict Shifts, and Saudi Pro League Highlights
Global Shifts: Diplomatic Talks, Economic Growth, and Regional Upheavals Reshape the Geopolitical Landscape
Insurgents Enter Damascus as Assad's Regime Faces Historic Collapse
Global Political Shifts: Defense Enhancements, Diplomatic Missions, and Civic Engagement Initiatives
Diplomatic Efforts Highlight Regional Tensions and Cooperation at IISS Manama Dialogue Amidst Humanitarian and Natural Crises
From Gulf Diplomacy to Global Resilience: Key Developments Shaping Regional and International Landscapes
Saudi Arabia Intensifies Immigration Control, Strengthens Diplomatic and Cultural Engagements
Global Political Tensions and Ambitious Developments Amid Regional Security Challenges
Philippines Celebrates Extensive Christmas Season; Saudi Innovations in Maritime Safety, Tourism, and Global Diplomacy; Healthcare Advancements and Regional Tensions Also Spotlighted
PIA Returns to European Skies Amid Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and COP16 Initiatives
Global Tensions Rise: Strategic Wins, Diplomatic Strains, and Humanitarian Crises Test Resilience
Global Political Turmoil and Humanitarian Efforts: A Snapshot of International Developments
Tensions and Triumphs: A Global Overview of Diplomatic Efforts, Geological Risks, Corporate Security, Military DEI Debates, Middle Eastern Conflicts, and Notre Dame's Resilient Reopening
Global Developments: Ghana's Election, UK's Smuggling Crackdown, Syrian Conflict Escalation, and US Supreme Court's Jurisdictional Case
Global Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises: A Snapshot of Recent International Developments
Saudi Arabia's Innovations in Marine Science, Arts, Film, Technology, Volunteerism, and Medical Education
Iran's Space Launch Fuels Western Concerns Amid Global Political Unrest
Riyadh's Cultural, Pharmaceutical, and Diplomatic Milestones: Noor Talks, CPHI Middle East, and Regional Developments
Key Diplomatic and Cultural Developments: Leadership Changes, Heritage Recognitions, and Strategic Partnerships in a Turbulent Global Context
Global Developments: Border Closures, Heritage Restoration, Leadership Appointments, Climate Challenges, Oil Market Dynamics, and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030
Global Partnerships and Initiatives Defining Saudi Arabia and Regional Dynamics in 2024
Global Developments: Sadiq Khan's Upcoming Knighthood, Punjab Farmers' Protests, Mary Jane Veloso's Repatriation, China's Warning to Taiwan, Hong Kong's National Security Law, and Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Boom
Iran's Satellite Launch Escalates Western Concerns Amid Global Geopolitical Tensions
×