Karim Souhaid's complaint: Riad Salameh questioned at home for 4 hours

Mandated by the public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Rami al-Hajj, the deputy public prosecutor at this court, Samaranda Nassar, questioned former Banque du Liban (BDL) governor Riad Salameh at his residence in Safra on Wednesday afternoon for four hours, as part of a case of alleged illicit enrichment, L'Orient-Le Jour has learned from an informed source.

The case against Salameh and Hanna was brought before the prosecutor's office last January by the current central bank governor, Karim Souhaid.

Strictly guarded in judicial and BDL circles, the case file reportedly concerns securities subscribed to by the BDL in various companies, with collateral allegedly constituted from shares held in Bank Audi.

The Credit and Monetary Code prohibits the BDL from investing in private entities, as its mission is to ensure financial stability and not to engage in commercial activities.

Hajj decided that Salameh’s questioning would be conducted at his home after reviewing medical reports from a commission of physicians demonstrating the former governor's poor health.

Accompanied by a court clerk, Judge Nassar held her hearing in the presence of Salameh’s lawyer, Wassim Ghawi. According to our information, the latter raised issues both regarding the procedure and the substance of the complaint.

Judge Nassar reportedly asked him to submit these issues in writing, without scheduling another hearing.