Lebanon’s Central Bank Governor, Riad Salameh, said during a television interview that he is ready to face the Swiss prosecution and answer questions regarding the money-laundering investigation.
He told Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), a Swiss-based Broadcast company, that he already informed the Swiss authorities that he is set for investigation.
He also denied all the accusations against him, saying to SRF: “Legally, you are only guilty when you are convicted. I have a clear conscience, and what I am accused of must first be proven.”
Last month, the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) said that 120 million euros ($132 million) of Lebanese assets were frozen in France, Germany, and Luxembourg, as a result of money embezzlement investigations
It was later revealed by Munich prosecutors that Riad Salameh was one of the main suspects.
The probe is based on millions in money embezzling public funds in Lebanon between 2002 and 2021. Five properties in Germany and France were also seized.
In April of last year, a group of civil organizations in Lebanon filed a complaint in Switzerland requesting an investigation into several banks over alleged illicit funds linked to Lebanese Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh.
Salameh is also facing charges in Lebanon of illegal enrichment and money laundering. He has reportedly abstained to answer the summon of Judge Ghada Aoun for questioning.
His brother Raja Salameh is also implicated in the charges, yet was released from detainment.
