Caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam during a press conference in September 2021. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)
BEIRUT — Caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam held a press conference on Tuesday to provide clarifications regarding the extortion allegations involving his brother, Karim Salam, which he described as an "attack on the Economy Ministry."
The Financial Public Prosecutor, Judge Ali Ibrahim, told L'Orient Today that Karim Salam and two other people accused of blackmailing insurance companies appeared before him today to testify in the case's investigation led by the head of the Beirut Criminal Court, Judge Samir Akiki.
He specified that it was just a hearing and not intended to lead to further judicial decisions.
In February, Akiki decided to imprison the Economy Minister's advisor, who is also allegedly involved in the case. He then referred Karim Salam, the minister's brother, along with other people, including the head of the Syndicate of Accounting Experts in Lebanon, Elie Abboud, to the Public Prosecution for further investigation and appropriate legal measures.
The case was opened back in February by the president of the Criminal Court in Beirut, Fadi Akiki, according to an Al-Akhbar report published a week ago. Salam and the minister's advisor are accused of bribing insurance companies wishing to retain their licenses after schemes related to the Beirut blast.
The companies' licenses were at risk of being suspended due to irregularities related to compensation payments following the twin explosions on Aug. 4, 2020, at the Beirut port. According to the newspaper, some companies allegedly paid indemnities in Lebanese pounds or in the form of bank checks, amid a steep depreciation of the Lebanese pound in the parallel market and the freezing of bank deposits. The suspects reportedly offered to intervene on behalf of insurers in exchange for financial benefits.
Judge Ibrahim told L'Orient Today that while he cannot reveal further details about the ongoing investigation, he will be hearing the advisor's case once the two-month judicial summer break is over.
It is also after these holidays that Ibrahim will likely have other people testify to move the case forward.
"There have been attempts to target [the Economy Ministry] but we remain governed by the law," Salam said during the press conference. "My brother appeared alone before the judiciary seven months ago, was investigated, and left without charges against him."
Regarding Tuesday's hearing, he only stated that his brother left the courthouse "without any questions."
“We will legally pursue those who attack us, and I ask the judiciary to stand by the Economy Ministry to consolidate the concept of accountability in the country," Salam added.
Abboud, the head of the Syndicate of Accounting Experts, has since accused Al-Akhbar newspaper of "fabricating and distorting facts" in an article published on July 9 that quoted Judge Akiki saying Abboud "testified before the court in a way that created confusion and ambiguity about the facts."
"This makes me obliged to file charges against the author of the article, the editor-in-chief, and everyone involved in these crimes," he added.
Abboud also said he is "in the process of filing a complaint against Judge Akiki before the competent judicial authorities."