“European Judges Investigating Financial Crimes and Money Laundering in Lebanon’s Central Bank: Raja Salameh Appears for Testimony”

Raja Salameh, brother of Lebanon’s central bank governor, has been summoned by a team of European judges who are investigating financial crimes and money laundering involving over $330 million. French judge Aude Buresi led the delegation, which questioned Salameh in Beirut as part of inquiries into financial transfers outside Lebanon and transactions conducted by Forry Associates, which Salameh owns. Salameh’s legal representative did not attend the hearing, claiming that his client was “a witness, not a suspect”. At least three countries – France, Germany, and Luxembourg – are investigating Salameh and his brother Riad, governor of Banque du Liban, for embezzling $330m between 2002 and 2015. European investigators have questioned several central bank employees and bank managers and have scheduled an interview with Riad Salameh in Paris on 16 May. Lebanese law states that the European judges cannot directly question Salameh, but must seek the answers through a mediator and a Lebanese judge. The delegation is also planning to question Youssef Khalil, the outgoing finance minister.