After the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Riad Salameh, failed to appear at a scheduled session in Paris on Tuesday, where the French prosecution was expected to present initial charges against him for fraud and money laundering, French Judge "Audrey Bourouzi" issued an international arrest warrant against him.
In his first response to the ruling, Salameh issued a statement saying that what happened is nothing but "justice by double standards." He declared that what was issued by the French investigating judge Audrey Bourouzi constitutes a violation of the most basic laws, as she did not consider the legal timelines stipulated in French law, despite being aware of them. He stated that this decision is a clear violation of the laws. He affirmed that he would challenge this decision which clearly contravenes legal standards.
He questioned: "Is it conceivable that a judge applies international agreements in one direction only?" He continued: "It has become clear from all the events accompanying the French investigations that they contradict the principle of presumption of innocence in their dealings and their selective application of texts and laws. It is evident that the French judge made her decision based on preconceived notions without giving any weight to the clear documents provided to her, and this is also evident in her recent tension that has reached the point of non-compliance with the established procedures in French laws and international treaties."
He concluded: "While the investigation in France, prompted by systematic complaints from my adversaries, is proceeding at a rapid pace, my complaint before the French judiciary regarding the Crystal Kredit file (which has no basis) has remained stagnant for three years despite our due diligence."
In a conversation with Reuters, two sources familiar with Salameh's travel plans stated that "the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon has not left Beirut." A senior judicial source indicated that "the Lebanese judiciary is unable to execute the summons, as it was directed to Salameh at the central bank, and he was not present to receive it." Additionally, another judicial source noted that Salameh's defense lawyer, his brother Raja, and his assistant Marianne Hweik, have filed an objection before the Lebanese judiciary against the French case, arguing that France should not be allowed to consider a case that is already under investigation in Lebanon. Salameh and his assistant, along with his brother, are being investigated in Lebanon and at least five European countries on suspicion of embezzling more than $300 million from the central bank.
