Riad Salameh’s press office reaffirmed the former Central Bank governor’s commitment to confidentiality and legal principles amid recent legal developments.
Amid legal proceedings against former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, his press office issued a statement on Thursday, acknowledging the considerable public attention surrounding his detention. The statement highlighted several key points, summarized below.
Confidentiality mandate
Article 53 of the Code of Criminal Procedure stands as a guardian of secrecy, penalizing information leaks with a harsh sentence. The statement emphasized the defense team’s commitment to upholding this provision, expressing hope that all parties respect it to safeguard the integrity of the investigation.
Transparent cooperation
Salameh has fully cooperated in over 20 criminal cases in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, underscoring his adherence to legal norms and impartiality. According to the statement, he continues to cooperate following his detention by the interim public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, maintaining the same level of engagement as before.
Legal rights upheld
The statement emphasized two fundamental rights under the Code of Criminal Procedure. The first is the right to remain silent, which cannot be used as evidence against the person being questioned (Article 77 of the Code of Criminal Procedure). The second is the presumption of innocence until a final conviction is reached (Paragraph 2 of Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966).
In conclusion, Riad Salameh’s press office reiterated his commitment to the principles of the Code of Criminal Procedure and called on all parties involved to respect them.
