The headquarters of the Banque du Liban in Hamra. (Credit: Layal Dagher/L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — On Tuesday, European investigators questioned two financial auditors who examined the accounts of the Banque du Liban. The measure was part of European investigations into the corruption file of BDL governor Riad Salameh, a judicial source confirmed to L'Orient-Le Jour.
The auditors questioned were Walid Nakfour from Ernst and Young and Antoine Gholam from Semaan-Gholam, the source said.
European investigators are expected to question Raja Salameh, the brother of the central bank's governor, on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Summoned on April 25 by the same investigators, Raja Salameh did not show up for the hearing, citing health reasons. He was notified of Wednesday's questioning by the Paris investigating judge Aude Buresi by email, through his French lawyer.
The European delegation, which is made up of French, German and Luxembourgian magistrates, arrived to Beirut on April 24 for its third trip to Lebanon. The intention of the visit was to shed light on commissions received by a company owned by Raja Salameh, Forry Associates Ltd, during sales of financial securities of the central bank.
The investigators are expected to remain in Lebanon until May 6.
Marianne Hoyek, former assistant to governor Salameh, was questioned last Thursday during a hearing that lasted for four and a half hours.
Salameh was heard in mid-March in Beirut by the first investigating judge of Beirut Charbel Abu Samra, in the presence of European judges from the countries that are conducting investigations on him.
At the March hearing, Salameh claimed innocence, as he has done on several occasions. At the time, Aude Buresi informed him of her intention to question him in France in mid-May. In both European and Lebanese courts, Salameh faces accusations of illicit enrichment, forgery and tax evasion.
