The head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, announced that "finally, the preliminary forensic audit report has seen the light, albeit with significant delays and in an incomplete version due to the obstruction by former Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Riad Salameh, and his prevention of many of the data requested by the firm. This alone deserves criminal prosecution."
Bassil pointed out that the report revealed numerous violations and thefts of public funds and depositors' money, highlighting that the cost of direct financial engineering, along with bonuses, amounted to $76 billion, equating to a financial deficit.
He asserted that "this is an unprecedented financial crime in human history, and it is the responsibility of the judiciary to investigate. The Parliament must act, as the Lebanese have the right to know who stole their money."
He said, "We are facing a historic precedent in Lebanon (accountability and not amnesty). The report condemns an entire political era and the system whose treasurer is the former central bank governor, who has been hostile to us in every way, including buying the loyalty of judges, media figures, and politicians, revealing how corrupt they were when they defended the governor."
Bassil added, "The battle did not end with the report, nor will it end without the submission of all required documents, which is now the responsibility of the first deputy governor." He emphasized the need to complete the audit at the central bank and in every institution or administration, particularly the Ministry of Energy, to reveal all truths and lies.
Since 2005, General Aoun has been calling for a forensic audit and managed to enforce his signature as president in 2021 amidst significant opposition from the system. Finally, the preliminary report has emerged with significant delays and in an incomplete version due to Salameh's obstruction and his prevention of many requested data, which alone deserves criminal prosecution. The report has shown a lot... — Gebran Bassil (@Gebran_Bassil) August 13, 2023
