Former Bank of Lebanon chief Riad Salameh poses as he leaves his post after 30 years of service, in the central bank building in Beirut, on July 31, 2023. (Credit: Mohammad Azakir/Reuters Archives)
While some political and activist circles are pleased with the provisional detention of former Banque du Liban (BDL) chief Riad Salameh, William Bourdon, founder of the Sherpa association and French lawyer for the collective of victims of fraudulent and criminal practices in Lebanon, remains "skeptical" at this stage of the proceedings. In a phone interview with L'Orient-Le Jour, he expressed concern about a potential judicial "sleight of hand" aimed at clearing the former central bank governor.The ex-BDL chief is suspected of corruption in Lebanon and abroad, allegations he has consistently denied. According to information obtained by L'Orient-Le Jour from a source close to the Court of Cassation, he was placed under arrest on Tuesday afternoon. Salameh was detained in Beirut after being questioned "for three hours by the public...
While some political and activist circles are pleased with the provisional detention of former Banque du Liban (BDL) chief Riad Salameh, William Bourdon, founder of the Sherpa association and French lawyer for the collective of victims of fraudulent and criminal practices in Lebanon, remains "skeptical" at this stage of the proceedings. In a phone interview with L'Orient-Le Jour, he expressed concern about a potential judicial "sleight of hand" aimed at clearing the former central bank governor.The ex-BDL chief is suspected of corruption in Lebanon and abroad, allegations he has consistently denied. According to information obtained by L'Orient-Le Jour from a source close to the Court of Cassation, he was placed under arrest on Tuesday afternoon. Salameh was detained in Beirut after being questioned "for three hours by the public...