Riad Salameh's family: 'His life is in danger, he is chained up and subjected to acts of humiliation'

BEIRUT — The family of former Banque du Liban (BDL, central bank) governor Riad Salameh on Tuesday renewed its call for his transfer to Bhannes Hospital on health grounds, claiming that he is “chained up and subjected to acts of humiliation” and that “his life is in danger.”

A high-ranking judicial source contacted by L’Orient-Le Jour denied the allegations, saying Salameh is being held in “excellent conditions” at Dahr al-Bashek Governmental Hospital.

'Campaign of moral assassination'

Salameh’s family said in a statement issued through his lawyers that it was “deeply concerned” by alleged acts of humiliation and physical mistreatment, following what it described as “a campaign of moral assassination” against the former governor.

“Information received from responsible medical sources as well as other witnesses has confirmed to us that the conditions of his detention, incompatible with his extremely fragile physical and psychological health, put his life in certain danger,” the family said.

It claimed that Salameh was “tied by a chain attached to an old, rusty hospital bed” and, on the other end, to the IV stand he allegedly needs to prevent severe dehydration. The family said he was refusing food and water to protest what he considers an injustice.

The family also said Salameh was being kept in a small room guarded by five heavily armed security agents “as if he were a terrorist,” describing the conditions as a violation of his privacy, fundamental rights, dignity and health, as well as Lebanese law and international conventions.

It further alleged that Salameh’s personal doctor had not been allowed to review his medical file, despite authorization from Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation Ahmad Rami al-Hajj for the doctor to visit and monitor him as medically necessary.

The family also accused security personnel of forcing Salameh to take medication against his wishes and alleged that Hajj was attempting to “absolve the authorities of any responsibility should there be imminent danger to the former governor’s life.”

The family said it respects the judicial process but wants it to proceed without media or external pressure. It called for Salameh to be transferred to Bhannes Hospital, where his medical team could oversee his care pending his hearing and a decision on his legal status.

Judicial source denies allegations

The high-ranking judicial source rejected the family’s claims about Salameh’s treatment at Dahr al-Bashek Hospital.

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Salameh transferred from Roumieh prison to Dahr al-Bashek hospital on prosecutor’s orders

According to the source, Salameh is not chained and is being held in “excellent conditions” in a private room with a bathroom. The source said that after stopping eating Saturday morning, Salameh resumed eating Sunday night and took both food and medication on Monday.

His blood pressure was 13/8 and his oxygen saturation was 97 percent, while the IV drip intended to prevent dehydration had been removed, the source said.

The source added that Salameh’s decisions regarding food and medical care are recorded in official reports and audiovisual recordings, while the hospital sends a report to the prosecutor’s office every five to six hours.

Salameh is under continuous monitoring and is examined daily, the source said. Nurses are present around the clock, and he is allowed to receive visits from his private doctors. The security personnel stationed outside his room are there to protect him, the source added.

Case file sent to appeals court

Salameh was initially held at Roumieh Prison on the orders of el-Hajj as part of a complaint filed by current BDL Governor Karim Souhaid over allegedly suspicious transactions carried out before Lebanon’s 2019 financial crisis.

He was later transferred to Dahr al-Bashek Governmental Hospital. His family had previously called for him to be transferred to Bhannes Hospital. Salameh, who was not being held alongside other detainees, had also said he intended to stop taking his medication and refuse food.

On Monday, Hajj accused the former governor of attempting “to intentionally and deliberately put himself in a critical health condition.”

Salameh’s case file, along with that of former Bank Audi CEO Samir Hanna, was sent Monday to the Beirut Appeals Court prosecutor’s office. Prosecutor General Raja Hamouche could receive the file Wednesday or, at the latest, Thursday, after which he could bring charges against the two men and refer the case to Beirut’s first investigative judge, Roula Osman.

The complaint filed by Souhaid also targets Hanna and concerns securities subscribed to by BDL in companies guaranteed by Bank Audi shares. The transactions allegedly caused major losses by placing funds with entities that later proved to be fictitious or in financial difficulty.

Salameh faces multiple investigations

Salameh, who headed BDL from 1993 to July 2023 and denies wrongdoing, is already being prosecuted in Lebanon over allegations of embezzling central bank funds. He has also been the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by French authorities since 2023.

He spent a year in detention in Lebanon before being released on bail. His relatives say his health has significantly deteriorated since then.

Salameh was arrested Friday at Bhannes Hospital, where he had gone after Hajj’s office, unable to verify the medical reasons given for his absence from a hearing, issued a search warrant for him the previous day.