French legal complaint against Lebanon central bank chief

Two associations on Monday said they filed a legal complaint against Lebanon's central bank Governor, Riad Salameh, who they accuse of fraudulently amassing a large fortune in Europe.

Sherpa, which specialises in fighting financial crime, and the "collective of victims of fraudulent and criminal activities in Lebanon" said they were also filing against Mr Salameh's brother Raja, his son Nadi, his nephew, and a close associate at the central bank, Marianne Hoayek, in the case.

The complaints were filed with the French Financial Prosecutor's Office.

Last month, Swiss media reported that prosecutors there were tracking Mr Salameh's suspected fund movements.

The Swiss Attorney General's office said in January that it was investigating "aggravated money laundering in connection with possible embezzlement" to the detriment of the Lebanese central bank, or Banque du Liban.

The French complaint, filed on April 30, calls for an international investigation of an alleged conspiracy to launder money, receive laundered money, commit fraud and engage in fraudulent commercial practices, among other accusations.

Lebanon has been mired in deep crisis since 2019, marked by a steep loss in value of its currency and banking restrictions banning money transfers abroad.

The associations are asking the judiciary to investigate Lebanese capital flight since the start of the crisis, and how the people named in the complaint could afford luxury property that was far beyond their official income.

They also want the inquiry to extend to financial intermediaries using tax havens and front companies.

The complaint claims Mr Salameh's fortune is in excess of €2 billion ($2.41bn).

Mr Salameh, who owns a luxury seafront villa in Antibes on the French Riviera, has rejected figures put forward by his accusers.