A report leaked to OCCRP's Lebanese media partner Daraj reveals how French bank BNP Paribas allowed associates of Lebanon's Central Bank Governor, Riad Salame, who is currently under investigation for money laundering and embezzlement, to transfer funds with minimal due diligence.

France issued an international arrest warrant against Lebanon's controversial central bank governor, Riad Salame, after he failed on Tuesday to attend his trial for money laundering and embezzlement, according to various media reports.

Prosecutors in Lebanon and Europe are investigating the longtime Banque du Liban governor, Riad Salame, for suspected money laundering and corruption. He’s also been blamed for the country’s financial crisis. But Salame claims he is a scapegoat.

(Photo: James O’Brien/OCCRP)

Investigators from several European countries have traveled to Lebanon to advance their probes into the country’s Central Bank Governor, Riad Salame, accused of embezzlement and money laundering abroad and at home, OCCRP’s local partner Daraj reported.

A judge in Liechtenstein is investigating money transfers between companies owned by Lebanon’s central bank governor Riad Salame and the brother of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, a leaked document seen by OCCRP shows.

Authorities in three European countries have frozen assets worth 120 million euro (US$130 million) in relation to an ongoing money laundering investigation into Lebanon’s Central Bank governor Riad Salame and his entourage, German prosecutors told OCCRP on Tuesday.

A Lebanese judge charged in absentia Central Bank governor Riad Salame with illicit enrichment and money laundering only days after ordering the arrest of his brother on similar charges.

Lebanese authorities arrested on Thursday the brother of the country’s embattled central bank governor on charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment, according to the state-run National News Agency.

Seven activist groups requested that Switzerland’s financial watchdog, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), launch an investigation into the relationship between three Swiss banks and Lebanon’s central bank governor, according to The National.

A judge investigating Lebanon’s Central Bank governor for corruption and money laundering has sued the country’s police chief after his officers reportedly prevented another law enforcement agency from executing a subpoena to bring Governor Riad Salame in for questioning.

Liechtenstein’s judicial authorities have a “pending money laundering investigation” in relation to Lebanese central bank governor Riad Salame, the country’s Prosecutor General confirmed in an email to OCCRP.

France’s National Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) has launched a preliminary investigation into the personal wealth of Lebanon’s Central Bank Governor, Riad Salame, following two complaints filed last month with the judicial institution that deals exclusively with financial affairs.