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JUSTICE

European investigators permitted to attend Lebanon's Salameh hearing

The central bank governor and his brother are being investigated for financial wrongdoing in Lebanon and at least five European countries. They both deny any wrongdoing.

European investigators permitted to attend Lebanon's Salameh hearing

Lebanon's central bank Governor Riad Salameh speaks during a news conference at the central bank in Beirut, Lebanon on Nov. 11, 2019. (Credit: Mohamed Azakir/File Photo/Reuters)

BEIRUT — European investigators returning to Beirut will be permitted to attend a Lebanese judge's questioning of central bank governor Riad Salameh, two sources said on Sunday, as Lebanon and several foreign countries investigate whether the Banque du Liban chief embezzled public funds.

Salameh, 72, and his brother are being investigated in Lebanon and at least five European countries. They both deny any wrongdoing.

Last month, a Lebanese judge charged the Salameh brothers with embezzlement, money laundering, illicit enrichment, fraud and tax evasion, and set a first hearing for the central bank governor on Wednesday.

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A senior judicial source explained to L'Orient-Le Jour that this hearing is part of the investigation being conducted by European countries.

European investigators landing in Beirut on Monday for their second visit as part of the probe will be allowed to attend the hearing, a judicial source and another source with knowledge of the visit's details told Reuters.

The judicial source said the presiding judge would not allow the foreign investigators to direct questions to Salameh, who has been central bank governor since 1993.

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He still enjoys backing from powerful Lebanese leaders, who in turn have significant say over judges' appointments.

The governor has told Reuters he is innocent and would abide by judicial proceedings, although he has not attended previous hearings over a smaller but related local corruption probe.

BEIRUT — European investigators returning to Beirut will be permitted to attend a Lebanese judge's questioning of central bank governor Riad Salameh, two sources said on Sunday, as Lebanon and several foreign countries investigate whether the Banque du Liban chief embezzled public funds.Salameh, 72, and his brother are being investigated in Lebanon and at least five European countries. They...