Court summons former Lebanon Central Bank governor

Lebanese judicial authorities have issued a court summons for former Central Bank governor Riad Salameh after he failed to appear at a scheduled hearing in a high-profile financial corruption case, marking another major development in one of the country’s most closely watched legal investigations.

According to a judicial source, prosecutors ordered security forces to locate Salameh at his residence and escort him to Beirut’s Palace of Justice after he did not attend Thursday’s hearing. The case stems from a complaint filed by current Central Bank Governor Karim Soueid, who has accused his predecessor of embezzlement of institutional funds, illicit enrichment and money laundering.

Salameh, 76, led Lebanon’s central bank from 1993 until July 2023, overseeing the country’s monetary policy for three decades. Once regarded as one of the Middle East’s most influential financial figures, he later became a central figure in the controversy surrounding Lebanon’s devastating financial collapse.

The Central Bank has alleged that it was the victim of an embezzlement scheme involving several hundred million euros, claiming the funds were misappropriated by Salameh with assistance from individuals close to him. However, the former governor has repeatedly denied all allegations, insisting he has committed no wrongdoing.

The first hearing in the case took place in June at Salameh’s home because of his reported health condition, where he was questioned by an investigating judge. On Thursday, former banking executive Samir Hanna appeared before the court in connection with the same investigation, while Salameh remained absent.

The former governor has faced growing legal pressure both inside Lebanon and abroad. He was arrested in September 2024 over allegations that he embezzled $44 million from the institution he once headed. After spending a year in detention, he was released on bail exceeding $14 million, one of the largest ever imposed in Lebanon, but remains banned from leaving the country.

International investigations have also intensified. French authorities issued an international arrest warrant for Salameh in 2023, while prosecutors in Paris continue examining allegations linked to cross-border financial transactions. In May this year, the Swiss subsidiary of British banking giant HSBC was formally indicted as investigators examined claims that it may have facilitated financial activities connected to the former governor.

The latest court summons underscores Lebanon’s efforts to pursue accountability for the country’s prolonged financial crisis. As investigations continue at home and overseas, the case against Salameh remains one of the most significant legal battles tied to Lebanon’s economic collapse, with many citizens viewing it as a crucial test of the country’s commitment to transparency and judicial reform.