ALBAWABA - More than a year after Germany announced the issuance of an arrest warrant against the former governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh, Germany's Ministry of Justice head of the judiciary confirmed revoking the warrant.
Judge Hilana Iskandar stated that in order for the arrest warrant to be valid it needs to run through two conditions; the first one being that there must be reasonable doubt behind believing that the suspect has committed the offense in question.
The second one is that the suspect must pose a serious threat to the community or has been recorded as attempting to flee the country.
Iskandar also added in her statement that the German authorities revoked the arrest warrant because, in Salamhe's case, the second condition that must be proven in order for a warrant to be issued is not fulfilled.
However, there is compelling evidence against Salameh having committed forgery and corruption, meaning that the authorities will continue to have all his properties and funds frozen despite not having an active arrest warrant.
In May 2023, Interpol issued a red notice against Riad Salameh, the 72-year-old Bank of Lebanon Governor, after France issued its arrest warrant against Salameh.
Bassam Mawlawi, then the country's acting Minister of Interior and Municipalities, told Reuters that Salameh would be complying with red notice in case the judiciary instructed him to do so.
Five foreign investigations were being carried out against Salameh at the time, regarding corruption charges. The French warrant came as part of France's investigation into Salameh's millions of dollars worth of embezzlement of allegations.
Considered one of Lebanon's political elite, Salameh has been, for years, slammed with allegations of money laundering and illicit enrichment with authorities, with almost 30 serving as the Bank of Lebanon governor.
Salameh's net worth has always been in question, as he has been accused of using ill-gotten ways to accumulate it. However, he has repeatedly denied any misconduct regarding the matter. He said on multiple occasions that his money comes from formerly being an investment banker at Merrill Lynch, inherited properties, and personal investments.
