REPORT: HRC Head, Ibrahim Bashir, accused of money smuggling

The head of the Higher Relief Council (HRC) Ibrahim Bashir denied on Friday all allegations raised against him on the backdrop of money smuggling, stating that this matter has a political background.       

Bashir told LBCI that some factions were disappointed seemingly since he was successful in transforming the HRC from a Sunni institution to an institution that serves all Lebanese citizens.     

Bashir accused via LBCI’s Nharkom Said the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Souheil Bouji, claiming that he is behind this campaign.                   

He also added that caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati did not suspend him from carrying out his duties at the council; however noted that he halted all his activities at the said institution.             

Earlier on Friday, HRC’s Bashir met with Judge Samir Hammoud, urging him to investigate all allegations raised against him.                    

In this regard, sources reported that the General Prosecution launched its investigations after it received a report from Lebanon’s Central Bank issued by the Special investigation Commission to combat money laundering.       

The sources added that the Commission, while tracking money, detected the movement of 10 Million USD, adding that 3.6 Million USD of this amount were transferred to Belarus under the name of Ibrahim Bashir’s wife.