Former Lebanese Central Bank Governor Arrested Over Financial Crimes

Lebanon’s ex-central bank governor Riad Salameh was arrested for money laundering, fraud, and embezzlement. The charges are tied to a brokerage firm, Optimum Invest. Neither Salameh, his lawyer, nor the firm have commented on the situation.

Lebanon's former central bank governor Riad Salameh was arrested on Tuesday, facing charges of money laundering, fraud, and embezzlement. The allegations are connected to a Lebanese brokerage firm named Optimum Invest, according to a senior judicial source.

Earlier, another source had confirmed that Salameh's arrest was linked to Optimum Invest. Efforts to obtain comments from Salameh, his lawyer, and the brokerage firm have been unsuccessful.

The charges mark a significant development in the financial sector of Lebanon, already facing immense economic challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)