The head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gibran Bassil, made a statement regarding the Swiss judicial action in the Salamé case.
The statement mentioned, "The Swiss judicial action in the case of the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon sets a precedent at the Lebanese level, establishing a model for similar actions in countries hosting banks that receive Lebanese fund transfers, whether they were embezzled selectively or were suspicious related to money laundering according to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. This qualitative development allows harmed parties to follow suit in any judicial review they may opt for."
Bassil added: "I have previously requested, from my previous ministerial position and my current parliamentary role, directly and indirectly, in writing and verbally, from international officials, European, American, and UN representatives, to assist Lebanon in uncovering suspicious fund transfers abroad and to return them; for international treaties as well as bilateral agreements between Lebanon and several countries allow it to trace looted and gifted funds and track their origin for recovery. International experiences should not be underestimated, especially with the presence of scientifically and technically specialized agencies in some countries to trace lost funds."
Bassil urged the Lebanese government to take diplomatic action and to appoint a lawyer or a specialized law office to search internally and externally for these funds and to claim them on behalf of the state. He also demanded the activation of forensic audit procedures after the justifications for not proceeding with it have been removed.
He clarified that the forensic audit is the best means to uncover the financial gap in the Central Bank of Lebanon, its causes, and those responsible, thereby reforming our banking system. It represents the cornerstone of the French initiative and compels political forces to adopt it unequivocally and to eliminate the resistance from those attempting to obstruct it.
He also expects the Parliament to approve the proposed laws submitted by the Strong Lebanon bloc, which relate to: 1- Regulating transfers abroad. 2- Recovering funds transferred selectively abroad after October 17. 3- Mandatory disclosure of assets and property belonging to public servants, including politicians and employees. 4- Establishing a specialized court for financial crimes.
Bassil concluded his statement by urging the Lebanese judiciary to keep pace with the Swiss judiciary, rather than adopting a position of observation and passivity, let alone evasion, as accountability will extend to those who fall short, and disgrace will follow those involved. The Lebanese people rely on some honest and courageous judges to recover what has been stolen and looted from their funds.
