The “National Media” reported today, Friday, quoting lawyer Mark Habka, defense attorney for Salameh, who confirmed this, pointing out that the fine was imposed by the accusatory body in Beirut in exchange for his release and removal from prison. The agency noted that Riad Salameh has been imprisoned for about 13 months on charges of “embezzling public funds from the Central Bank of Lebanon, money laundering, and squandering public funds.” The agency also indicated that despite Salameh’s release, the court ordered a travel ban against him for one year starting from today, Friday.
Lebanese authorities had arrested him in September 2024 and charged him with embezzlement, forgery, and illegally owning real estate and banking assets in Europe. Months ago, Salameh, who is 75 years old, was transferred to the hospital due to deteriorating health conditions.
Media reports indicate that this bail is the highest in Lebanon’s history, even though it was reduced compared to the $20 million included in the previous court ruling last August.
