BEIRUT, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- A local court on Tuesday approved the release of former Lebanese central bank governor Riad Salameh on a record bail of 20 million U.S. dollars and 5 billion Lebanese pounds (about 55,600 dollars), the state-run National News Agency reported.
The indictment chamber also imposed a one-year travel ban as judicial proceedings against him continue.
Salameh, who led the central bank, also known as Banque du Liban, for three decades until July 2023, has been the target of domestic and international investigations into alleged corruption, embezzlement and money laundering. He was formally referred to trial in April on charges of illicit enrichment and forgery.
Lebanon's 2019 financial collapse intensified scrutiny of his tenure, with critics accusing him of mismanagement. Salameh has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. ■
