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Lebanese state security personnel on patrol during the raid on the Banque du Liban. EPA
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Lebanese security personnel raid the Banque du Liban, the country's central bank, in Beirut. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RLFEONWFWXX2V25SSD6X77KDCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=80fe324aceccdfd3d81181ce2623084a342ed84bdb2e883db8caf6bee91a7831&width=400&height=225)
Lebanon's Central Bank building is pictured behind a razor wire fence, in Beirut, Lebanon July 19, 2022. REUTERS / Mohamed Azakir
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Lebanese security personnel stand guard at the entrance of the central bank during the raid. AP
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Judge Ghada Aoun is surrounded by security personnel as she leaves the central bank. AP
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Lebanon opened a probe into Mr Salameh's wealth last year after Switzerland requested assistance in an investigation. Ms Aoun has charged him with illicit enrichment and money laundering. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3WP2YUXZVI4NXRHD6VK2X2JWC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=660fa3981d460ee0a5b78a5d82c8c2094b9061f4ebd575aad95c82edf7fb7ac0&width=400&height=225)
European countries are also investigating Mr Salameh. It is alleged he embezzled more than USD$300 million out of the central bank with the help of his brother Raja. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4C65P6QVSCIKLUFQ2WLGZZSO54.jpg?smart=true&auth=f54137f13adf6b305eaba2954d81894195e7f7bbb9d759dda9300cc38ff6ae10&width=400&height=225)
A member of Lebanese State Security on guard during the raid at the Banque du Liban. EPA
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Officials said they did not find Salameh and were unable to look for him in the building’s offices and storage rooms. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CK4BBX2ERDKZQ26XMRODFBYK3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=829b4670637b5bd01467fc795889635272a158e356bcfeb6ba598e958fce8ffd&width=400&height=225)
The allegations against Mr Salameh come as Lebanon reels under economic crises that have left most of the population in poverty. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XAVTEZZ7HKIFTZPV57C3IIVBUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac870e4ec12c739c4eba7ba42fe8328bc16efa8b321a06d0ae9daea8bf97218a&width=400&height=225)
Lebanese state security personnel on patrol during the raid on the Banque du Liban. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6HZDH2WKDADSTC5KJ7VBKZLQ54.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f6278724f22c981dcf6e08d5b9bad648a3cd092ab62739a430ccbc52d9a15cd&width=400&height=225)
Lebanese security personnel raid the Banque du Liban, the country's central bank, in Beirut. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RLFEONWFWXX2V25SSD6X77KDCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=80fe324aceccdfd3d81181ce2623084a342ed84bdb2e883db8caf6bee91a7831&width=400&height=225)
Lebanon's Central Bank building is pictured behind a razor wire fence, in Beirut, Lebanon July 19, 2022. REUTERS / Mohamed Azakir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AYYMUPUYCMTMUY7FV4QZUAPNJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d1df14dc47f326fee53396187fba73ea69c5240697c374625acd3c7b5ac8c758&width=400&height=225)
Lebanese security personnel stand guard at the entrance of the central bank during the raid. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ESI7PDTT4ZSCI7SH7FQVYGFD2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=5322e72b13d5113aa9b64d9bde82106ac208ab666558ca723b2b6f9a47fff2c6&width=400&height=225)
Judge Ghada Aoun is surrounded by security personnel as she leaves the central bank. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CWOZ5VYTSVGO6ETQJWTRUUKMFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=047df5c105f047bd1857e69f15b70db723934a98c60e1f251a5de025fbc68a60&width=400&height=225)
Lebanon opened a probe into Mr Salameh's wealth last year after Switzerland requested assistance in an investigation. Ms Aoun has charged him with illicit enrichment and money laundering. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3WP2YUXZVI4NXRHD6VK2X2JWC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=660fa3981d460ee0a5b78a5d82c8c2094b9061f4ebd575aad95c82edf7fb7ac0&width=400&height=225)
European countries are also investigating Mr Salameh. It is alleged he embezzled more than USD$300 million out of the central bank with the help of his brother Raja. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4C65P6QVSCIKLUFQ2WLGZZSO54.jpg?smart=true&auth=f54137f13adf6b305eaba2954d81894195e7f7bbb9d759dda9300cc38ff6ae10&width=400&height=225)
A member of Lebanese State Security on guard during the raid at the Banque du Liban. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3ML7WKBCPC3MBVSYTW34HDDRZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f211db1523781eea5eeda2e507b4d403b5af56a10dc7a779abd292d43349c566&width=400&height=225)
Officials said they did not find Salameh and were unable to look for him in the building’s offices and storage rooms. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CK4BBX2ERDKZQ26XMRODFBYK3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=829b4670637b5bd01467fc795889635272a158e356bcfeb6ba598e958fce8ffd&width=400&height=225)
The allegations against Mr Salameh come as Lebanon reels under economic crises that have left most of the population in poverty. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XAVTEZZ7HKIFTZPV57C3IIVBUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac870e4ec12c739c4eba7ba42fe8328bc16efa8b321a06d0ae9daea8bf97218a&width=400&height=225)
Lebanese state security personnel on patrol during the raid on the Banque du Liban. EPA
Lebanon's central bank employees strike after judicial raid in search of governor
Operation led by judge Ghada Aoun failed to locate Riad Salameh and was criticised by prime minister-designate Najib Mikati
![Jamie Prentis](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F7e8731e9-4925-4121-9565-fee2525fc1c6.png?smart=true&auth=8c028507ec53318d49d5123c5dc965135b9b7aea1a6d3ffd9ccacfb39b6f8f40&width=70&height=70)
Jamie Prentis
20 July, 2022
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