Lebanon Central Bank chief questioned by European lawyers

By KAREEM CHEHAYEB
Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s embattled Central Bank chief has been questioned for the first time before a European legal team visiting Beirut in a money-laundering probe linked to the governor. Several European countries are investigating Riad Salameh, who in recent years has been charged with a handful of corruption-related crimes. Salameh has been Lebanon’s Central Bank governor since 1993. The questioning was originally scheduled for Wednesday when Salameh did not show up. Judicial officials say he was charged with corruption alongside his brother, Raja, and associate Marianne Hoayak. The European delegation is investigating the laundering of some $330 million. Judicial officials said the questioning lasted for six hours on Thursday and another session was scheduled for Friday.