Lebanon"s former central bank chief jailed over corruption charges

A Lebanese judge has ruled that Riad Salameh, the former central bank chief, will remain in custody while facing serious charges of embezzlement. Salameh was charged with misappropriating $42 million from state funds after being detained following an interrogation by the top public prosecutor. He has consistently claimed his innocence, asserting that he believed he was summoned as a witness rather than a suspect during his court appearance. The charges against Salameh come amid a broader investigation into financial crimes that have plagued Lebanon, particularly since the onset of a severe financial crisis in late 2019. Many Lebanese citizens have suffered significant losses, with their savings trapped in banks due to the collapse of the banking system and the devaluation of the national currency. Salameh's tenure as central bank governor, which lasted nearly three decades, ended under a cloud of suspicion, with several European nations also investigating him for alleged financial misconduct. His initial reputation as a stabilizing force in Lebanon's economy has been overshadowed by accusations of corruption and mismanagement. Protests have erupted in response to the situation, with demonstrators calling for Salameh to remain in jail. The justice ministry's lawsuit against him reflects the growing public demand for accountability in the face of the country's ongoing economic turmoil, which many attribute to his policies and actions during his time in office.