Lebanon's President Michel Aoun in this picture released by Dalati Nohra on Sept. 24, 2021, while addressing the United Nations General Assembly via a recorded video message, in Baabda, Lebanon. (Credit: Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
BEIRUT — President Michel Aoun on Tuesday accused some judges of wanting to avoid any prosecution against the governor of Banque du Liban Riad Salameh and asked them to "rise up for your dignity and do not be afraid of the injustice of those in power," according to the presidency’s Twitter account.
Here’s what we know:
• "Rise up for your dignity and do not be afraid of the injustice of those in power. Face those who obstruct the investigation targeting the Central Bank and the Beirut port explosion," Aoun said before a delegation of judges whom he received on Tuesday at the Baabda Palace.
• "Since June 9, the judges have shied away from their responsibility to prosecute, according to the standards, the governor of the Central Bank in serious financial crimes," Aoun also said. "I call on the judges to completely free themselves from all threats and intimidation," he added.
• Mount Lebanon’s Public Prosecutor Ghada Aoun has made several raids in search of Salameh who so far refused to appear for questioning. Some have criticized Judge Aoun, accusing her of populism and acts on behalf of President Aoun.