Investigation into the governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon: an actress arrested

According to the Lebanese media, Stéphanie Saliba would have accepted sumptuous gifts from Riad Salamé.

AFP - AMMAR ABD RABBO

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Prosecuted in cases of theft of public funds and money laundering, the Lebanese actress Stéphanie Saliba is close to Riad Salamé, who is himself the subject of several investigations in Lebanon and abroad.

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With our correspondent in Beirut,

Stéphanie Saliba was briefly arrested on Wednesday at Beirut airport on her return to Lebanon.

She was released a few hours later on the order of the financial prosecutor, although she was the subject of a search warrant.

Faced with the outcry caused by his decision, the same prosecutor ordered his arrest on Friday.

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accused the prime minister of intervening in favor of the 35-year-old actress, which Najib Mikati's press office denied in a statement.

Mount Lebanon prosecutor Ghada Aoun, who is investigating numerous anti-corruption cases, wants to question Stéphanie Saliba on the origin of the precious gifts she has received in recent years.

The young actress is also suspected of having bought property abroad on behalf of people close to Riad Salamé.

The central bank governor is the subject of a

over suspicions of fraud, money laundering and illicit enrichment.

In early December, his ex-partner, Anna Kosakova, was heard by the French national prosecutor's office in cases of money laundering and embezzlement to the detriment of the Lebanese state.

The head of the Banque du Liban, who sees the noose tightening around him, still refuses to appear in court.

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