Central Bank Governor’s Brother Raja Salame Arrested

After reportedly questioning him for three hours, Judge Ghada Aoun arrested Raja Salameh on charges of financial misconduct.

The brother of Lebanon’s notorious Central Bank governor Riad Salameh, Raja’s company allegedly received upwards of $330 million in brokerage fees funneled out of the Central Bank. He is accused of embezzling larger sums as well.

There is also a warrant out for Riad Salameh to appear before Judge Aoun, one that the older Salameh has largely ignored for over a year.

It appears as though this week, the judiciary is turning the heat up on banks. Switzerland, France, and Luxembourg have previously launched criminal inquiries into Riad Salame and his family for aggravated money laundering and embezzlement.