Lebanon actress questioned as witness in corruption probe

In this file photo taken on Oct. 24, 2020, Lebanese actress and model Stephanie Saliba poses on the carpet during the 4th edition of El Gouna Film Festival, in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of el Gouna. Saliba, was arrested on Dec. 9, 2022, in connection with investigations targeting Central Bank Gov. Riad Salame for illicit enrichment, a judicial source told AFP. PATRICK BAZ / El Gouna Film Festival / AFP

BEIRUT, Lebanon—Lebanese authorities on Friday briefly detained a well-known actress for questioning as a witness in a corruption probe involving the country’s central bank governor, a judicial source and her agent told AFP.

Stephanie Saliba was detained after failing to appear for previous summons in the case and was subsequently “questioned as a witness” in the investigation into money laundering and illicit enrichment, the source said.

Long-serving central bank chief Riad Salameh, 72, is among top officials widely blamed for Lebanon’s unprecedented economic crisis, dubbed by the World Bank as one of the worst in recent world history.

In June, a Lebanese prosecutor probing Salameh on suspicion of financial misconduct requested charges be issued against him based on preliminary investigation findings, a court official said at the time.

Local media have claimed Saliba was close to Salameh and that he showered her with expensive gifts.

She was questioned Friday “to know the type of gifts she received from him,” the judicial source said, stressing the actor “is not a defendant and is not accused of money laundering.”

“The gifts she received from Salameh, whether it was a house or jewellery, do not amount to money laundering.”

Saliba’s agent, Eliane Al Hajj, confirmed to AFP that she had been released after questioning.

Lebanon opened a probe into Salameh’s wealth last year, after the office of Switzerland’s top prosecutor requested assistance in an investigation into more than $300 million which he allegedly embezzled out of the central bank with the help of his brother.

Both Salameh brothers have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The central bank chief has remained at the helm despite Lebanese courts slapping him with a travel ban and investigating him in connection with several other cases.

He also faces lawsuits in European countries, including France and Britain, on charges of financial misconduct.  /ra

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