BEIRUT— Metn’s urgent matters judge, Ralph Karkby, has issued a decision to remove the red wax seals from the doors of Mecattaf company immediately, pursuant to the provisions of Article 579 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the state-run National News Agency reported Tuesday.
Here’s what we know:
• The continued closure of the doors of the Mecattaf company constitutes a clear infringement on its legitimate rights to practice its commercial activity according to article 579, the NNA report continued. Mecattaf company specializes in foreign exchange transactions and fund transfers.
• In August 2021, Mount Lebanon Public Prosecutor Ghada Aoun initiated a series of lawsuits against the company and its now deceased owner Michel Mecattaf, and several people and companies whom she suspects of being involved in money laundering operations through the Mecattaf company.
• In April 2021, Aoun ordered that the company be closed and sealed with red wax before she forcibly entered Mecattaf’s offices in Awkar to raid them, disregarding the Supreme Judicial Council’s call for her to abide by a senior public prosecutor’s order dismissing her from financial crime cases. She left with files and computers loaded into her private car.
• Following the raid, Aoun was called to appear before the Judicial Inspection Authority at the request of the Supreme Judicial Council.
• On March 18, Mecattaf died at the age of 52 from a heart attack. The case against his company is still ongoing.