Former Banque du Liban Governor Riad Salameh was transferred to Roumieh Prison from a hospital, following a series of missed court appearances tied to embezzlement allegations exceeding more than 260 million dollars, according to a Lebanese judicial official cited by Agence France-Presse. Salameh, who led Lebanon’s central bank for 30 years, was admitted to the prison and placed among detained individuals by order of Acting Public Prosecutor Judge Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj.
The 76-year-old former central bank chief experienced a health scare while traveling to court last week, prompting officials to postpone a scheduled hearing concerning complaints brought by current central bank governor Karim Said. Judicial sources note that Salameh's medical condition will remain under observation, with legal and medical protocols applied if further hospital care becomes necessary.
Legal Battles and Corruption Inquiries
The latest detention stems from an 8 January complaint filed by current Governor Karim Said, accusing Salameh of seizing central bank funds, illicit enrichment, and money laundering. Salameh initially avoided court when he felt unwell en route to the hearing, which led prosecutors to verify his whereabouts. Authorities discovered he was not at his registered addresses or hospital emergency rooms, resulting in the issuance of a search-and-bring warrant. Security measures were subsequently tightened at his hospital wing before his transfer to Roumieh Prison.
Did you know? Riad Salameh served as the governor of Banque du Liban for three decades, from 1993 until July 2023, steering monetary policy through various economic cycles before the financial collapse began in 2019.
Prior Arrests and Continuing Probes
Salameh was previously arrested in Lebanon in September 2024 and faced judicial claims including public fund embezzlement and forgery. Local and European investigations spent three years examining whether he accumulated real estate and banking assets illegally. He was released the following year after posting a bail bond exceeding 14 million dollars. To date, no court has issued a final conviction against Salameh across any of the domestic or international probes he faces.
| Event / Milestone | Details from Sourced Reports |
|---|---|
| Central Bank Tenure | Served as Governor of Banque du Liban from 1993 to July 2023. |
| September 2024 Detention | Initially arrested on charges of embezzlement and forgery; released in 2025 on a substantial bail. |
| January 2026 Complaint | Current Governor Karim Said filed a complaint involving over 260 million dollars in disputed funds. |
| Current Status | Transferred from hospital to Roumieh Prison by order of the public prosecutor. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Riad Salameh transferred to Roumieh Prison?
According to judicial officials, Salameh was moved from a hospital to Roumieh Prison by order of the Acting Public Prosecutor after missing court dates and being subjected to a search-and-bring warrant.
What are the specific charges against the former central bank governor?
Current Governor Karim Said filed complaints accusing Salameh of seizing central bank funds, illicit enrichment, and money laundering involving sums estimated at over 260 million dollars.
Has Riad Salameh been convicted of any crimes?
No court has issued a formal conviction against Salameh in any domestic or international proceedings. Salameh consistently denies all allegations, maintaining that he is being used as a scapegoat for Lebanon’s economic crisis.
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