Lebanon receives Interpol red message for head of central bank

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By Webdesk


Home Secretary Bassam Mawlawi says he will arrest Salameh if ordered by the judiciary.

The Lebanese Ministry of Justice has received an Interpol notice for central bank governor Riad Salameh, according to the country’s acting interior minister.

Bassam Mawlawi told Reuters news agency on Friday that he would carry out the red notice if ordered to do so by the judiciary.

“Whatever the judiciary says, we will do it,” Mawlawi said.

Red notices are going out to law enforcement agencies around the world. They search for the location and arrest of fugitives wanted for prosecution or to serve prison sentences.

The charges against Salameh were issued after France issued an arrest warrant against him as part of its investigation into whether the governor had embezzled hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds, an allegation he denies.

Salameh denounced the French move, calling it a violation of the law, and vowed to appeal.

The 72-year-old is part of the Lebanese political elite widely blamed for a crushing economic crisis that began in late 2019.

He has been the target of a series of inquests into allegations of fraud, money laundering and illicit enrichment, among others, with investigators investigating the fortune he has amassed at work over nearly 30 years.

Salameh has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and insists his wealth comes from his previous job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch, inherited properties and investments.

Mawlawi said the Interpol red notice was issued on Wednesday and the Lebanese Justice Ministry received the notice the next morning.

He added that he believed it was “necessary” for Salameh to step down.

Saade Chami, Lebanon’s deputy prime minister, also called on the embattled governor to resign on Thursday. Chami, who is leading bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund, told The Associated Press news agency that the allegations against Salameh jeopardize the government’s credibility and “could jeopardize the country’s financial relations with the rest of the world.”

Mawlawi said the issue would be discussed at a cabinet consultation meeting on Monday, but was already part of talks between the country’s senior leaders.

“It’s being seriously discussed,” Mawlawi said.



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