The former governor of the Bank of Lebanon, Riad Salameh, during an interview with AFP in December 2021, while he was still head of the institution. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — Former Banque du Liban (BDL) Governor Riad Salameh was due to appear Thursday before the Court of Cassation’s public prosecution as part of a complaint filed against him and former Bank Audi CEO Samir Hanna by current central bank Governor Karim Souhaid.
However, Salameh was authorized not to appear by Court of Cassation Public Prosecutor Judge Ahmad Rami al-Hajjar, even though he was already on his way and was the subject of an arrest warrant, according to a source close to the case. Lawyers for both sides were informed of the decision afterward.
Salameh was due to be questioned by Court of Cassation Deputy Public Prosecutor Samaranda Nassar, who was appointed by Hajjar.
According to our information, Salameh’s lawyer, Wassim Ghawi, had previously submitted a medical excuse, which the prosecution rejected. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued, prompting security forces to go to Salameh’s residence on Thursday to carry it out.
It remains unclear whether officers went to his main residence in Rabieh, Metn, or his second home in Safra, Kesrouan. Finding no one there, they photographed the exterior of the property and sent the images to the prosecutor as a report.
Meanwhile, Salameh had decided to appear voluntarily. However, he reportedly began feeling unwell on the way and contacted the prosecution, saying his blood pressure had risen to 23 and that he needed to see a doctor. The prosecutor then authorized him not to appear. According to some media reports, Salameh was admitted to a hospital emergency department.
It remains unclear whether the hearing will be postponed or rescheduled for later Thursday.
Souhaid has served as BDL governor since spring 2025. He was appointed after nearly two years of interim leadership by Deputy Governor Wassim Manssouri, following the end of Salameh’s term.
Salameh is widely considered one of the main figures responsible for Lebanon’s financial crisis, which erupted in late 2019.
Souhaid filed his complaint last January. It concerns securities allegedly subscribed to by BDL in several companies, with Bank Audi shares used as collateral. The transactions reportedly caused significant losses after central bank funds were placed with entities that later turned out to be fictitious or financially distressed.
The prosecution decided to question Salameh after an initial hearing with Hanna. Unlike Salameh, Hanna appeared for questioning Thursday.
In late September 2025, Salameh was released on $14 million bail by the same Indictment Chamber after spending a year in detention in another case involving BDL and Optimum Invest.
His health had reportedly deteriorated significantly during that period, according to sources cited by L’Orient-Le Jour.
