Riad Salameh in his office, in 2021. (Credit: Joseph Eid/AFP)
BEIRUT — The first investigating judge of Beirut, Charbel Abou Samra, rejected Thursday several appeals by beleaguered Banque du Liban governor Riad Salemeh, thereby clearing the way for him to continue a local probe into alleged BDL corruption, a senior judicial source told L'Orient-Le Jour.
Abu Samra has scheduled a hearing for June 15 to hear Raja Salameh, Riad Salameh's brother, who is also under investigation for money laundering and other crimes.
Thursday's decision means that if, eventually, there is a judgment that says there should be a restitution of the ill-gotten funds, the Lebanese state can claim its portion.
Riad and Raja Salameh, and the former advisor to the governor, Marianne Hoayek, were called to appear Thursday for a hearing before Judge Abou Samra, in the context of the proceedings against them, notably for "forgery, money laundering, illicit enrichment and tax evasion."
The hearing Thursday was reportedly devoted to the appeals the three made in late March before Judge Abou Samra.