Riad Salameh has come under intense scrutiny since the Lebanese economy collapsed in 2019. AP
Riad Salameh has come under intense scrutiny since the Lebanese economy collapsed in 2019. AP
Riad Salameh has come under intense scrutiny since the Lebanese economy collapsed in 2019. AP
Riad Salameh has come under intense scrutiny since the Lebanese economy collapsed in 2019. AP

Lebanon security forces sent to raid home of central bank governor


  • English
  • Arabic

Lebanon's state security forces on Wednesday raided a home belonging to central bank governor Riad Salameh after an overnight stakeout.

Judge Ghada Aoun, the Mount Lebanon state prosecutor who has charged the central bank governor, along with his brother Raja Salameh, with illicit enrichment, also participated in Wednesday's raid by state security forces.

Ms Aoun, who personally oversaw the search of Mr Salameh's property, was accompanied by a treasury expert with equipment used to break into safes, local media reported.

Wednesday marks the first successful raid on the governor's property. Mr Salameh, the subject of two separate corruption investigations in Lebanon, has failed to appear at several hearings.

During the stakeout, a judicial source had called Mr Salameh's reluctance to co-operate with the judiciary a “provocation” and told The National further action would be taken soon.

“We have to do our work. We will take all legal measures to ensure our work is done,” the source said.

Mr Salameh was reportedly not at the property in the town of Rabieh, on the northern edge of Greater Beirut, at the time of the raid.

Earlier this year, Ms Aoun issued a subpoena after Mr Salameh failed to appear for questioning three times.

State security failed to locate him in February when they tried to raid his Rabieh home, sparking a controversy with another security agency that is accused of protecting him.

Lebanese security forces outside a house owned by central bank governor Riad Salameh, in Rabieh. Reuters
Lebanese security forces outside a house owned by central bank governor Riad Salameh, in Rabieh. Reuters

Mr Salameh has come under intense scrutiny since the country’s financial collapse in 2019, which has pushed more than three quarters of the country into poverty.

The raid comes at a time of heightened tension between Mr Salameh and the Lebanese judiciary.

Lebanese media reported in early June that prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat had issued charges against Mr Salameh and his younger brother, Raja, for misappropriation of funds, money laundering and tax evasion, among other charges.

This came two days after the brothers filed a lawsuit against Mr Oueidat for gross misconduct.

Raja Salameh was released on May 22 after spending nearly a month in detention on a record bail of 100 billion Lebanese pounds ($3.7 million).

Ms Aoun ordered him to be detained after questioning him over apartments bought in Paris, charging the brothers with illicit enrichment.

  • November 1, 2019: Banks implement capital controls after shutting for two weeks. Reuters
    November 1, 2019: Banks implement capital controls after shutting for two weeks. Reuters
  • March 2020: Lebanon defaults on its sovereign debt for the first time in its history, amid protests in the country. AFP
    March 2020: Lebanon defaults on its sovereign debt for the first time in its history, amid protests in the country. AFP
  • April 2020: The government of Hassan Diab, prime minister at the time, pictured with President Michel Aoun, approves a financial recovery plan. Reuters
    April 2020: The government of Hassan Diab, prime minister at the time, pictured with President Michel Aoun, approves a financial recovery plan. Reuters
  • May 1, 2020: Mr Diab's government requests assistance from the International Monetary Fund. The Association of Banks in Lebanon rejects the plan. Reuters
    May 1, 2020: Mr Diab's government requests assistance from the International Monetary Fund. The Association of Banks in Lebanon rejects the plan. Reuters
  • May 20, 2020: the ABL presents an alternative plan. Reuters
    May 20, 2020: the ABL presents an alternative plan. Reuters
  • July 1, 2020: a Parliamentary fact-finding committee backs the ABL. The IMF suspends negotiations with Lebanon. AP
    July 1, 2020: a Parliamentary fact-finding committee backs the ABL. The IMF suspends negotiations with Lebanon. AP
  • August 10, 2020: Mr Diab resigns following a devastating explosion at Beirut’s port, in which at least 232 people died and 7,000 were injured. AP
    August 10, 2020: Mr Diab resigns following a devastating explosion at Beirut’s port, in which at least 232 people died and 7,000 were injured. AP
  • September 10, 2021: Najib Mikati, fourth from right, forms a government. AFP
    September 10, 2021: Najib Mikati, fourth from right, forms a government. AFP
  • January 2022: Lebanon re-starts negotiations with the IMF. Reuters
    January 2022: Lebanon re-starts negotiations with the IMF. Reuters
  • April 7, 2022: The IMF and Lebanon reach a staff-level agreement. AFP
    April 7, 2022: The IMF and Lebanon reach a staff-level agreement. AFP
  • May 15, 2022: Lebanon holds parliamentary elections. EPA
    May 15, 2022: Lebanon holds parliamentary elections. EPA
  • May 20, 2022: Mr Mikati’s government approves a new financial recovery plan. Reuters
    May 20, 2022: Mr Mikati’s government approves a new financial recovery plan. Reuters
  • May 24, 2022: The ABL rejects the plan. The local currency hits the record low of 34,000 Lebanese pounds to the dollar – 95 per cent lower than the official rate. Reuters
    May 24, 2022: The ABL rejects the plan. The local currency hits the record low of 34,000 Lebanese pounds to the dollar – 95 per cent lower than the official rate. Reuters
Match info:

Burnley 0

Manchester United 2
Lukaku (22', 44')

Red card: Marcus Rashford (Man United)

Man of the match: Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)

%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
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Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.

Based: Riyadh

Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany

Founded: September, 2020

Number of employees: 70

Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions

Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds  

Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Directed by: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons

Four stars

So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?

Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
 

Mina Cup winners

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

Under 16 – Fursan Hispania

Under 18 – Madenat

Infobox

Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August

Results

UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets

Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets

Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets

Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs

Monday fixtures

UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain

Ahmed Raza

UAE cricket captain

Age: 31

Born: Sharjah

Role: Left-arm spinner

One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95

T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28

Where to submit a sample

Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain

 

 

Her most famous song

Aghadan Alqak (Would I Ever Find You Again)?

Would I ever find you again
You, the heaven of my love, my yearning and madness;
You, the kiss to my soul, my cheer and
sadness?
Would your lights ever break the night of my eyes again?
Would I ever find you again?
This world is volume and you're the notion,
This world is night and you're the lifetime,
This world is eyes and you're the vision,
This world is sky and you're the moon time,
Have mercy on the heart that belongs to you.

Lyrics: Al Hadi Adam; Composer: Mohammed Abdel Wahab

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

MATCH INFO

Quarter-finals

Saturday (all times UAE)

England v Australia, 11.15am 
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm

Sunday

Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm

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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

Updated: June 22, 2022, 5:01 PM