BEIRUT, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Lebanese judge on Monday ordered former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh to remain in detention as investigation was underway for his alleged financial crimes committed during his tenure at Banque du Liban.
Investigative Judge Bilal Halawi made the decision after questioning Salameh for the first time since his arrest on September 3, according to MTV, a local TV channel. Halawi has scheduled another hearing for Thursday.
Salameh is under investigation in Lebanon and several European countries on suspicion of embezzling more than 330 million U.S. dollars from the Lebanese central bank.
The 74-year-old former governor, who is accused of contributing to Lebanon's unprecedented financial crisis, denies embezzlement, money laundering, illicit enrichment, and other charges against him.
Salameh ended his 30-year tenure as Lebanon's central bank governor on July 31, 2023. ■
