The National Bloc released the following statement:
Public Prosecutor Judge Jamal Hajjar has arrested former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh following his questioning regarding contracts with the "Optimum" company for the purchase and sale of treasury bonds and certificates of deposit. Between 2015 and 2018, 45 suspicious transactions were carried out under the signatures of Riad Salameh and his brother, earning the company commissions amounting to $8 billion.
This event did not happen in isolation but is the result of growing political and popular pressure since 2019, as expressed by the Lebanese people in protests and at the ballot box. And especially through civil society, including lawyers, journalists, media outlets, and anti-corruption organizations, played a significant role in pushing for this, working closely with Lebanese and international judges. Without these collective efforts, the forensic audit would never have been initiated. This move also comes amid pressure from international financial institutions, which signaled the potential placement of Lebanon on the grey list.
Although the arrest of Riad Salameh—a rare event in Lebanon—comes late and amid widespread distrust in the judiciary, it is still an important step. We hope it will mark the beginning of exposing the full extent of the ruling class's wrongdoings that led to the country’s collapse.
Riad Salameh, who is already accused of embezzlement and money laundering in four European countries, orchestrated Ponzi-like financial schemes, engaged in manipulative financial engineering, and colluded with banks at the expense of depositors, he himself is the “black box” of the entire ruling elite. While he bears significant responsibility for Lebanon’s financial crisis, he should not become a scapegoat to protect the political and banking figures responsible.
For this reason, the National Bloc calls for widespread public, political, and media support for this judicial process, ensuring it leads to broader investigations that hold all those responsible for the misappropriation of depositors' funds and the country’s downfall accountable.