The indictment chamber ordered on Tuesday the release of former Central Bank governor Riad Salameh on bail set at $20 million and 5 billion Lebanese pounds.
The decision also imposes a one-year travel ban, as legal proceedings against him are still ongoing.
The bail is the largest in Lebanon’s history. Salameh’s defense team strongly objected to the unprecedented amount, arguing that Salameh’s assets were already frozen both domestically and abroad.
Salameh’s attorney, Marc Habka, told local news agency Al-Markazia: “While the bail decision is legal, it came far too late. My client has been held in pretrial detention for over 11 months unlawfully and without justification. Setting bail at such an amount is itself unlawful.”
Salameh was arrested on September 3, 2024, by order of Public Prosecutor Jamal Hajjar, following questioning at the Palace of Justice.
Investigations focused on contracts between the Central Bank and the company Optimum, involving transactions in treasury bills and certificates of deposit in Lebanese pounds, as well as commissions received by the company from these deals. No trial has been held to date.
Salameh, 74, served as Central Bank governor for three decades, from 1993 to 2023.
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