Former Lebanese central bank governor Riad Salameh. (Credit: AFP/File photo)
BEIRUT — Helene Iskandar, the head of the state legal department, confirmed to L'Orient-Le Jour on Thursday that she presented an action for damages against the State caused by "the serious faults of the first investigating judge in Beirut, Charbel Abou Samra."
Iskandar presented the action to the plenary assembly of the Court of Cassation on Wednesday, in the context of hearings conducted by Abou Samra in the proceedings against former Banque du Liban governor Riad Salameh.
Judge Iskandar did not specify which "faults" she was referring to.
Asked why she lodged a complaint with a court that has not convened for 18 months due to a lack of quorum, Judge Iskandar told L'Orient-Le Jour: "I did my job to the state. I know its interests and I acted accordingly."
Investigating Judge Abou Samra is automatically relieved of the Salameh case, a legal expert explained to L'Orient-Le Jour.
Some accuse Abou Samra of being complacent towards Salameh, particularly during his last hearing on Aug. 2 after which Abou Samra released the former BDL governor without scheduling a new hearing. However, Abou Samra asked Salameh to remain at the disposal of the judiciary.
Salameh is on trial for "forgery, money laundering, illicit enrichment and tax evasion." He is also the subject of two international arrest warrants, and regularly denies all the charges brought against him.
A hearing originally scheduled for Thursday for the ex-governor's brother, Raja Salameh, and his former assistant, Marianne Hoyek, was postponed until October, according to judicial sources.