There is no justification for detaining Riad Salameh, and Article 111 is clear.

Following the release and leak of the contents of the indictment request submitted against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Riad Salameh, by Public Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal Raja Hamoush, legal authorities expressed surprise that the alleged charges were included in the request, given that the facts cited in the complaint indicate that the claimant itself — the Central Bank of Lebanon — was the sole beneficiary of the transaction in question.

The transaction, which was carried out entirely based on a decision issued by the Central Council of the Central Bank of Lebanon, generated a net profit of $33 million for the Central Bank.

Furthermore, legal sources argue that the case is barred by the statute of limitations, and that Governor Salameh had previously provided his testimony and presented his defense in this matter.

Legal circles are awaiting the course of the investigation to ensure that the judiciary remains free from any potential pressure and that consideration is given to Mr. Salameh’s age and delicate health condition. They also call for the application of Article 111 of the Lebanese Code of Criminal Procedure, which states:

“The investigating judge, regardless of the nature of the offense, may replace the detention of the defendant with judicial supervision and may impose one or more obligations deemed necessary to enforce such supervision.”

It is also noted that Mr. Salameh was previously detained for 13 months, barred from traveling, had his passport confiscated, and paid the largest bail amount in the history of the Lebanese judiciary in order to secure his release.

Therefore, according to these legal sources, there is no justification for detaining him and failing to apply Article 111 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.