Judge asks Salameh to remain at disposal of courts following interrogation

BEIRUT — Beirut's First Examining Judge Charbel Abou Samra completed his questioning of former Banque du Liban (BDL) Governor Riad Salameh on Wednesday.

Abou Samra released Salameh without scheduling a new hearing but asked him to remain at the disposal of the judiciary, a senior judicial source told L'Orient-Le Jour.

Wednesday's hearing was scheduled for Salameh, his brother, Raja Salameh, and his former assistant, Marianne Hoayek, in connection with proceedings brought against him last February for forgery, money laundering, illicit enrichment and tax evasion. Only Riad Salameh was questioned.

Riad Salameh is also the subject of several international arrest warrants. He regularly denies all the charges.

The hearing ended around 1:15 p.m., according to the same judicial source, who said the investigation of the former BDL governor "should be over." 

According to the same source, the hearing had been scheduled at the request of the head of the State Legal Department, Helene Iskandar, who also asked all of the questions. Later, Judge Abou Samra wished to question Raja Salameh and Marianne Hoayek, but Iskandar objected to "avoid any rush" in the investigation.

The case concerning Riad Salameh will be sent to the public prosecutor's office, which can either request Salameh's arrest or ask for his release. The decision of the public prosecutor is non-binding.

Salameh, 73, stepped down from his post on Monday after more than 30 years in office. 

L'interrogatoire de Riad Salamé terminé, le juge Abou Samra lui demande de rester à disposition de la justice