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Lebanon Imposes Travel Ban on Central Bank Chief Wanted by France

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Segun Adewole
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Riad Salameh

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Image Credit: ArabNews

Lebanese Judge Takes Action: Travel Ban Imposed on Central Bank Chief

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A Lebanese judge has issued a travel ban against Riad Salameh, the central bank chief of Lebanon. This action comes shortly after Beirut received an Interpol red notice following a French arrest warrant, marking a significant turn of events. The judge has taken the step of questioning Salameh and, based on the investigation, decided to release him on bail. However, the judge has imposed a travel ban on Salameh, confiscating both his Lebanese and French passports. These measures have been enacted pending further investigation into the allegations against him.

Allegations of Fraud and Money Laundering Surround Lebanon's Central Bank Chief

Salameh, who has served as Lebanon's central bank chief for a prolonged period, finds himself embroiled in multiple judicial investigations both within the country and abroad. The allegations leveled against him include fraud, money laundering, and illicit enrichment, casting a cloud of suspicion over his tenure and reputation.

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In addition to the travel ban, the Lebanese judge has requested the French judiciary to transfer Salameh's case to Beirut. The purpose of this transfer is to determine whether the Lebanese judiciary will pursue charges against Salameh for the crimes he is accused of in France. This step underscores the international implications of the case and the need for close cooperation between the legal systems of both countries.

International Implications: Interpol Red Notice and Extradition Challenges

The issuance of an Interpol red notice last week further intensified the situation. The red notice followed a warrant issued by a French magistrate after Salameh failed to appear for questioning in Paris regarding his substantial assets across Europe. While it's important to note that an Interpol red notice is not equivalent to an international arrest warrant, it serves as a request for authorities worldwide to provisionally detain individuals involved, pending possible extradition or other legal actions.

One significant obstacle arises from Lebanon's policy of not extraditing its nationals, which complicates the situation further. This policy poses a challenge in the event that extradition proceedings are pursued by France or other countries involved in the case.

As the investigations unfold and the legal proceedings progress, the case of Riad Salameh continues to draw attention both domestically and internationally, highlighting the importance of ensuring accountability and transparency within the financial and judicial systems of Lebanon.

Lebanon travelban RiadSalameh LebaneseJudge CentralBankChief
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