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Lebanese Judge Indicts Former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and Bank Executive Samir Hanna
Just the facts
The court accused 76-year-old Riad Salameh, who led Lebanon's central bank from 1993 to July 2023, and 88-year-old Samir Hanna of embezzling tens of millions of dollars in public funds alongside charges of illicit enrichment and bribery. The indictment marks the first time a private commercial bank executive has been formally charged alongside Salameh in connection with central bank financial investigations. Salameh remains under medical supervision at a hospital outside Beirut after missing a court hearing, while Hanna posted a $1 million bail to remain out of custody during the ongoing probe. The proceedings follow a criminal complaint filed in January 2026 by current central bank Governor Karim Souaid regarding illicit transactions routed through four offshore shell companies in the Cayman Islands.
Why this is news
Lebanese judicial authorities filed formal indictments against former Banque du Liban Governor Riad Salameh and former Bank Audi head Samir Hanna on August 10, 2026.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.