Brother of Ex-Lebanese Central Bank Governor Faces Probe in France Over Graft Charges

Raja Salameh, the brother of Lebanon's former central bank governor Riad Salameh, is under investigation in France as part of a corruption probe into the alleged embezzlement of over $330 million from the bank.

Following his hearing in Paris last week, Raja Salameh faces charges including criminal conspiracy, embezzlement of public funds, aggravated breach of trust, corruption and organised money laundering, as reported by AFP.

He is suspected of assisting Riad Salameh in embezzling more than $330 million via a slush fund at the central bank, which was reportedly used to purchase properties in Europe and the US.
Both brothers have denied the accusations.

“It is a significant but expected development. The evasion ends here,” said William Bourdon, one of the lawyers representing the Sherpa association and the Collective Association of Victims of Fraudulent and Criminal Practices in Lebanon as civil parties in the case.

“The judicial puzzle involving a massive diversion of public resources by a family clan and its allies is nearing resolution.”

In February, Raja's son, Emile Salameh, was charged in France with criminal conspiracy, money laundering and receiving stolen goods following his interrogation by a financial investigating judge.

Through financial arrangements facilitated by his father, Emile Salameh is suspected of having acquired two apartments in Paris and villas in Lebanon.

Raja Salameh’s property holdings in France and the US, which are suspected to have been bought with illicit funds, and on suspicious transfers between Raja and Emile Salameh.

Since 2021, French authorities, along with several other EU countries, have been investigating money laundering linked to Lebanon's central bank chief from 1993 to 2023.

In May 2023, France issued an arrest warrant for Riad Salameh following a hearing in Paris. Raja Salameh had failed to appear at his hearing in France in April of the same year, citing medical reasons.

France has also placed other suspects under formal investigation, including Riad Salameh’s partner Anna Kosakova, Lebanese banker and former minister Marwan Kheireddine, senior BDL adviser Marianne Hoayek and Antoine Gholam, manager of Lebanese auditing firm BDO Semaan.

“Raja Salameh answered all questions posed by the investigating magistrates, aiming to establish the truth,” his lawyer Karim Beylouni told AFP.

“Raja Salameh denies any wrongdoing, including involvement in the alleged misappropriation of public funds. He is determined to clear his name and that of his family,” he added.

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