On Thursday, Raja Salameh, the brother of Lebanon’s Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, was released on a bail of 100 billion Lebanese pounds (approx. $3.7 million) in cash, in addition to the seizure of 40 properties and a travel ban.
According to comments from his lawyer, the bail accounts as a record high in Lebanon.
Last month, Mount Lebanon’s Indictment Chamber, led by judge Pierre Francis, approved his release after dismissing an appeal by judge Ghada Aoun.
It was previously agreed to reduce the bail value from LBP 500 billion to LBP 200 billion, or approximately $8 million.
Since the beginning of 2022, the Salameh brothers, Raja and Riad, have been the center of numerous investigations in Lebanon and abroad, namely in Europe.
In March, Raja Salameh was arrested on a charge initiated by Mount Lebanon judge Ghada Aoun based on accusations of money laundering, embezzlement, and illicit enrichment.
Riad Salameh, however, is now accused of multiple cases, as previously, French authorities uncovered financial misconduct in Paris.
Additionally, the Central Bank Governor is also the main suspect in the money laundering investigations by Germany, France, and Luxemburg over alleged embezzlement of $330 million.
