A French anti-corruption association called Sherpa, along with a group of lawyers in France, just filed a legal complaint against Lebanon’s Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh.
The complaint cites alleged “suspicious” property he owns in the European country worth millions of euros.
“We are targeting the ill-gotten gains acquired in France and more specifically we are targeting the numerous investments overseas that make the suspicious origins of his fortune in France,” said the head of the illicit financial flows program at Sherpa, Laura Rousseau to Reuters.
According to Rousseau, Salameh‘s brother, son, and an associate were also included in the legal complaint. Reuters, which saw the 81-page complaint, reported that it also listed over a dozen senior Lebanese politicians.
The complaint reportedly outlines different properties and “investment vehicles” allegedly used by Salameh, his family members, and associates to move funds from Lebanon over the years.
“At the end of this affair, France will have to ensure that ill-gotten funds will be returned to serve the general interest, improve the living conditions of the Lebanese, strengthen the rule of law, and fight against corruption,” said the Sherpa association.
This comes after more than 100 activists and influential Lebanese personalities called on French President Emmanuel Macron to freeze all “dubious origin” assets owned by Lebanese officials in France.
This is one of many legal actions taken against Salameh and Lebanese officials abroad.
Last month, Lebanese civil groups filed a complaint in Switzerland requesting an investigation into several banks over alleged illicit funds linked to Salameh.
Reuters also previously reported that the United Kingdom‘s National Crime Agency may consider investigating Salameh over alleged money laundering and corruption.
Salameh has consistently dismissed allegations against him as an organized slander campaign.
