Riad Salameh
Banknotes: April to June 2022
A round-up of news and salient issues that have affected central bankers in the past three months
Outgoing Lebanese cabinet agrees to central bank reforms
Any new government may still prove unable to push through long-blocked measures
IMF promises $3 billion financing for Lebanon but demands reforms
Deal depends on monetary policy and central bank reform, as well as banking clean-up, IMF says
European authorities freeze Lebanese governor’s assets
Riad Salameh one of “five main suspects” subject to €120 million asset seizures, say prosecutors
Lebanese judge brings corruption charges against governor
Salameh denies all wrongdoing as his brother is transferred to another judge’s custody
Lebanese judge arrests central bank governor’s brother
Judge is investigating governor Riad Salameh over alleged financial crimes
Lebanese central bank sent millions to firm linked to governor – report
Central bank paid millions of dollars to firm investigated by Swiss prosecutors, Reuters says
Lebanese president accuses central bank of obstructing audit
Judge issues summons for governor as staff refuse to share data for long-delayed audit
Lebanese PM denies shielding governor
Mikati denies claims he threatened to resign over investigation into Salameh
Lebanese president orders central bank to comply with audit
Aoun says repercussions from failure to hand over documents would be negative on all levels
Lebanese governor claims personal audit exonerates him
Judge says court has ordered him to suspend Salameh probe as foreign investigations continue
Luxembourg authorities open investigation into Lebanese governor
Third European country probes finances of Riad Salameh
IMF knew Lebanese central bank had $4.7 billion shortfall in 2015 – Reuters
Officials said central bank had net negative assets due to claims by commercial lenders, report says
Lebanese central bank audit has not yet started, says outgoing finance minister
Media reports prosecutor probing new prime minister over central bank-backed loans
Lebanese politicians condemn governor for ending fuel subsidy
Salameh says he will not resume subsidy unless parliament allows use of mandatory reserves
French prosecutors investigating Lebanese governor – reports
Riad Salameh has repeatedly denied allegations of money laundering and corruption
Lebanese finance ministry and central bank clash over forensic audit
Central bank to release documents to independent auditors this month, finance ministry says
Lebanese governor accused of neglect of duty by judge
Governor may be questioned in Switzerland over alleged money laundering
Swiss authorities confirm investigation of Lebanon’s central bank
Attorney-general’s office confirms probe into alleged “money laundering and embezzlement” at CBL
Lebanese parliament demands central bank audit
Lawmakers say vote overrules banking secrecy laws and central bank must release documents
Forensic auditors walk out of Lebanese central bank
Finance minister says central blank blocked audit as president stresses investigation must continue
Lebanese central bank ‘has not handed over audit documents’
Media reports say embattled central bank has not provided basic data on transactions
Lebanon aid depends on reform – IMF
Georgieva sets banking bail-in and further audit of central bank as conditions for emergency aid
Lebanese central bank orders interest-free loans after explosion
Move comes despite banking sector lacking dollars and reports of massive capital shortfalls