BEIRUT (AP) — A European judicial group questioned Lebanon’s caretaker finance minister on Friday in an investigation associated to corruption probes of the nation’s Central Financial institution governor, officers stated.
The questioning is a part of a probe by a delegation from France, Germany, and Luxembourg, now on its third go to to Lebanon to interrogate suspects and witnesses within the case. Central Financial institution Governor Riad Salameh is being investigated overseas over a number of monetary crimes and the laundering of some $330 million.
Throughout Friday’s session, caretaker Finance Minister Youssef El Khalil was questioned about his work as an in depth affiliate of Salameh whereas working on the Central Financial institution, earlier than he turned a Cupboard minister, officers stated. They spoke on situation of anonymity due to the continued probe.
El Khalil labored for the Central Financial institution from 1982 till he turned finance minister practically two years in the past and was final the manager director of its monetary operations division.
On Thursday, the European delegation questioned Salameh’s brother, Raja Salameh. After questioning El Khalil, the delegation was anticipated to depart Lebanon. It was not clear if it will return for extra questioning at a later date.
The three European governments in March 2022 froze greater than $130 million in belongings linked to the investigation. In March this yr, the delegation got here to Beirut and questioned the governor concerning the Central Financial institution’s belongings and investments overseas, a Paris condominium owned by Highway Salameh, and Forry Associates Ltd, a brokerage agency owned by his brother.
France has earlier questioned the chairman of Lebanon’s AM Financial institution, Marwan Kheireddine, on a number of expenses, together with cash laundering. Experiences in Lebanon say the governor and his associates had used industrial banks to siphon off public cash.
The 72-year-old governor has repeatedly denied all allegations in opposition to him, insisting that his wealth comes from his earlier job as an funding banker for Merrill Lynch, inherited properties, and thru investments. The governor can also be being individually investigated by Lebanese authorities.