Beirut Justice Palace. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — The collectives Mouttahidoun and The Depositors' Cry Sunday called for a sit-in in front of Beirut Justice Palace, scheduled for Tuesday, 17 January. This initiative is related to the impending Lebanon visit of European judges, who are to investigate financial malpractices in which Bank of Lebanon governor Riad Salameh is suspected of being involved.
Mouttahidoun (United) on Sunday called "for the Lebanese to mobilize as united people, who have experienced all these scourges, in order to overthrow the criminal ruling clique." In a statement the group said that this mobilization "is related to the presence of European judges who must investigate cases already raised, which are before the Lebanese justice with irrefutable evidence."
The collective justifies Tuesday's demonstration "because there is strength in unity, because competent judges must receive all possible support, after many corrupt magistrates have turned courthouses into graveyards for justice."
Judges from France, Germany and Luxembourg are expected in Beirut to question Riad Salame and his brother Raja, as well as CEOs and other bank officials. These inquiries are expected to begin January 16.
The delegation of German magistrates has already arrived in Beirut, but the Lebanese judiciary on Wednesday refused their requests to access copies of the Salameh file, compiled by Jean Tannous, attorney general of Financial prosecution.