Lebanese Judiciary Releases Ex-Central Bank Governor on $20M Bail

Lebanese authorities have agreed to release former central bank governor Riad Salameh on a record $20 million bail after nearly a year in detention on multiple financial crime charges, including embezzlement, money laundering, illicit enrichment, and tax evasion. Salameh, who led Lebanon's central bank for three decades until July 2023, denies the allegations, claiming he is a scapegoat for the country's severe financial crisis. His detention exceeded legal limits under Lebanese law, sparking controversy, especially given his deteriorating health and repeated hospitalizations. The judiciary imposed a one-year travel ban alongside the bail condition, with officials citing a new medical report and the upcoming expiration of his pre-trial detention order as factors in the release decision. Salameh faces investigations in Lebanon and abroad, with critics blaming him for policies that contributed to the collapse of Lebanon's currency and economy, while his supporters claim the probes are politically motivated. The bail decision has been challenged by his defense as illegal, indicating ongoing legal disputes.