LBCI

Germany issues arrest warrant for Lebanon's central bank chief

23-05-2023 | 08:01

Share

Share

Germany issues arrest warrant for Lebanon's central bank chief

2^min

Germany has informed Lebanon it has issued an arrest warrant for Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh on corruption charges, including forgery, money laundering and embezzlement, a senior judicial source told Reuters on Tuesday.

A second source familiar with the matter confirmed the arrest warrant to Reuters. Salameh has denied any wrongdoing.

Salameh, 72, is being investigated in Lebanon and at least five European countries for allegedly taking hundreds of millions of dollars from Lebanon's central bank to the detriment of the Lebanese state and laundering the funds abroad.

It is the second foreign arrest warrant reported to be issued for Salameh within a week. France issued a warrant for his arrest on May 16 after he failed to show up for a Paris court hearing.

On France's request, Interpol issued a Red Notice for Salameh, citing charges of money laundering, fraud and participation in a criminal association with a view to committing offences punishable by 10 years of imprisonment.

Salameh said he would challenge the French arrest warrant.

He was previously charged with corruption in two separate cases in Lebanon, which include formal accusations of embezzlement, money laundering and fraud.

He has denied those charges and said they are politically motivated.

No one at the German federal prosecution was immediately available to comment.

The Munich public prosecutor’s office said it was involved in the case but declined to comment on the arrest warrant. "We never comment on arrest warrants," a spokesperson for the office told Reuters.

Salameh, who has been central bank governor for 30 years, is facing growing calls to resign ahead of his latest term ending in July, though Lebanon's caretaker Cabinet took no decision on the matter during a Monday meeting that discussed his case.

Lebanon News

Germany

Issues

Arrest Warrant

Official

Lebanon

Central Bank

Chief

Riad Salemeh

Next

Israeli army claims it killed Hezbollah member in Nabatieh — spokesperson

Recommended For You

After UNIFIL: Lebanon’s search for a post-2026 security framework

News Bulletin Reports

12:50

After UNIFIL: Lebanon’s search for a post-2026 security framework

MP Mohammad Raad: Committed to unity, cooperation, and restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty

12:06

MP Mohammad Raad: Committed to unity, cooperation, and restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty

PM Salam to CNN: Israeli occupation and daily violations undermine stability in southern Lebanon

11:49

PM Salam to CNN: Israeli occupation and daily violations undermine stability in southern Lebanon

US Congressman Darin LaHood to LBCI: Meeting with Lebanese Army commander was “very good”, urges stronger disarmament efforts

11:37

US Congressman Darin LaHood to LBCI: Meeting with Lebanese Army commander was “very good”, urges stronger disarmament efforts

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

US envoy Morgan Ortagus arrives in Lebanon

2025-10-27

US envoy Morgan Ortagus arrives in Lebanon

Gold gains nearly 2% as investors await Fed verdict, Powell speech

2025-10-29

Gold gains nearly 2% as investors await Fed verdict, Powell speech

Pope Leo's critique of Trump emboldens top US Catholics to help immigrants

2025-11-07

Pope Leo's critique of Trump emboldens top US Catholics to help immigrants

US-Iran nuclear talks proceed after Arab and Muslim leaders urge diplomacy: Axios

Middle East News

15:02

US-Iran nuclear talks proceed after Arab and Muslim leaders urge diplomacy: Axios

Videos

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

2026-02-01

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

Berri halts live broadcast amid parliament salary dispute

2026-01-29

Berri halts live broadcast amid parliament salary dispute

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

2026-01-10

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

President Aoun condemns Israeli spraying of toxic chemicals over southern Lebanon

1

President Aoun condemns Israeli spraying of toxic chemicals over southern Lebanon

Tests show Israeli army used banned herbicide near Blue Line — information obtained by LBCI

2

Tests show Israeli army used banned herbicide near Blue Line — information obtained by LBCI

Israeli military appoints Major General Ghassan Alian to oversee Druze affairs

3

Israeli military appoints Major General Ghassan Alian to oversee Druze affairs

US Congressman Darin LaHood to LBCI: Meeting with Lebanese Army commander was “very good”, urges stronger disarmament efforts

4

US Congressman Darin LaHood to LBCI: Meeting with Lebanese Army commander was “very good”, urges stronger disarmament efforts

After UNIFIL: Lebanon’s search for a post-2026 security framework

5

After UNIFIL: Lebanon’s search for a post-2026 security framework

Lebanon to file UN complaint over alleged Israeli use of toxic substances on farmland

6

Lebanon to file UN complaint over alleged Israeli use of toxic substances on farmland

Israel raises demands to US over Iran, signaling potential action if ballistic missiles left out of talks

7

Israel raises demands to US over Iran, signaling potential action if ballistic missiles left out of talks

Trump: Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei should be extremely concerned

8

Trump: Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei should be extremely concerned

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More