BEIRUT (AP) — A Lebanese judge ruled Monday that the country’s former central bank chief will remain in jail while facing charges of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from state coffers.
Lebanon’s Financial Public Prosecution division charged Riad Salameh last week with embezzlement of $42 million after he was detained following an interrogation by Lebanon’s top public prosecutor over several alleged financial crimes.
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BEIRUT (AP) — A Lebanese judge ruled Monday that the country’s former central bank chief will remain in jail while facing charges of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from state coffers.
Protesters confront the police convoy transporting Riad Salameh, the former governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, upon his arrival at the court building in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Protesters try to confront the police convoy transporting Riad Salameh, the former governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, upon his arrival at the court building in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
A protester holds a mock noose, as she protests outside the court building against Riad Salameh the former governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
FILE - Riad Salameh, Lebanon's Central Bank governor, attends a news conference, in Beirut, on Nov. 11, 2019. Lebanon charged its embattled former central bank governor Wednesday with the embezzlement of $42 million, three judicial officials told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
Former Lebanon central bank chief to remain in jail while facing corruption charges
Former Lebanon central bank chief to remain in jail while facing corruption charges
Salameh has maintained that he is innocent.
On Monday after Salameh appeared at a court hearing, Judge Bilal Halawi issued an arrest warrant against him, meaning he will remain behind bars while the case is tried.
Judicial officials said Salameh arranged with two attorneys to transfer money from the central bank through other accounts, eventually reaching his own.
Following the charges, Lebanon’s justice ministry filed a lawsuit against Salameh for alleged embezzlement of public funds.
Salameh ended his 30-year term as central bank governor a year ago under a cloud, with several European countries investigating allegations of financial crimes. Many in Lebanon blame him for the crippling financial crisis that has gripped the country since late 2019.
A judicial official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the case said Salameh appeared in court on the day of his arrest last week without a lawyer, believing that he had been summoned as a witness, not a suspect.
Many Lebanese depositors saw their savings dissipate or remain trapped in banks as a result of the plunging national currency and collapse of the banking system.
A small group of protesters gathered outside the justice palace in Beirut to urge that Salameh remain behind bars.
“Everyone who collaborated with Riad Salameh, whether in the deep state or in the banks or the thieves and money launderers or the media that whitewashed Riad Salameh, they will all be with him" in jail, said Elias Jaradeh, part of a group of independent legislators who came to office in 2022 on an anti-government and anti-corruption platform.
Salameh was appointed in 1993 and was initially celebrated for his role in steering an economic recovery after Lebanon's 15-year civil war, and for keeping the economy on an even keel during long spells of political gridlock and turmoil.
He has for years denied allegations of corruption, embezzlement and illicit enrichment. He insists that his wealth comes from inherited properties, investments and his previous job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.
Sewell reported from Istanbul.
A Lebanese police officer blocks protesters from entering the court building, as they protest against Riad Salameh, the former governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Protesters confront the police convoy transporting Riad Salameh, the former governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, upon his arrival at the court building in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Protesters try to confront the police convoy transporting Riad Salameh, the former governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, upon his arrival at the court building in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
A protester holds a mock noose, as she protests outside the court building against Riad Salameh the former governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
FILE - Riad Salameh, Lebanon's Central Bank governor, attends a news conference, in Beirut, on Nov. 11, 2019. Lebanon charged its embattled former central bank governor Wednesday with the embezzlement of $42 million, three judicial officials told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
Former Lebanon central bank chief to remain in jail while facing corruption charges
Former Lebanon central bank chief to remain in jail while facing corruption charges
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kirk Cousins led a flawless last-minute drive for Atlanta and connected with Drake London for a 7-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left to give the Falcons a 22-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.
Saquon Barkley dropped a short pass that stopped the clock with 1:46 left and forced the Eagles to settle for a field goal instead of a game-sealing first down. That was plenty of time for Cousins — especially against an Eagles defense playing soft coverage with a nonexistent pass rush.
The 36-year-old veteran, playing his second game since tearing his Achilles tendon last Oct. 29 while playing for Minnesota, shook off an uneven effort and hit Darnell Mooney for 21 and 26 yards on consecutive plays during the decisive drive.
Cousins found London on a short pass to his right for the tying score, and Younghoe Koo put Atlanta (1-1) on top with a 48-yard extra point after London was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. The go-ahead drive took just 65 seconds.
Jalen Hurts had his final pass intercepted by Jessie Bates III to seal Atlanta’s win and set off a wild celebration on the sideline.
The Eagles (1-1) went ahead on Hurts' 1-yard tush push score with 6:47 left. Barkley finished with 95 yards on 22 carries in his home debut for Philadelphia, but his drop provided the Falcons with some hope.
And then Cousins started playing like the QB Atlanta thought it was getting when it signed him to a four-year, $180 million contract.
Cousins finished 20 of 29 for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Atlanta’s first TD was a 41-yarder from Cousins to Mooney, who finished with three catches for 88 yards.
Hurts was 23 of 30 for 183 yards, including a touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith. With No. 1 receiver A.J. Brown out with a hamstring injury, Smith led the Eagles with seven catches for 76 yards and a score.
Jake Elliott kicked two field goals for the Eagles. His 28-yarder with 1:39 left made it 21-15.
Atlanta kept stalling in the red zone, getting three field goals from Koo, before Cousins fired over the middle to Mooney, who shook loose from C.J. Gardner-Johnson and left him on the turf before he somersaulted into the end zone with 1:21 left in the third quarter for a 15-10 lead. Cousins failed on the 2-point conversion pass.
Hurts had some juice in his step during a second-quarter TD drive, running with abandon for big plays much like he did in the 2022 season. He spiked the ball in a rare, raw show of emotion on a 23-yard run, earning a delay-of-game penalty. He shrugged off the 5-yard setback and scrambled for 9 yards and 15 yards to move the Eagles to Atlanta’s 19.
With comedian Shane Gillis and actor Bradley Cooper among the fans cheering on the Eagles, Hurts connected with Smith in the back of the end zone for a 7-yard TD that made it 7-3.
Under new defensive coordinator Vince Fangio, the Eagles have established an early knack for allowing long drives that end with three points instead of seven. Koo kicked field goals of 39, 22 and 34 yards, the last one enough for a 9-7 lead in the third quarter. In their opener, the Eagles held the Packers to just three field goals when they drove inside the 20.
Rather than take a chip-shot field goal from Elliott, the Eagles’ fourth-and-4 gamble at Atlanta’s 9-yard line in the first quarter failed when Hurts threw an incomplete pass.
Elliott kicked a 29-yarder with 4:31 left in the third quarter for a 10-9 lead.
Bijan Robinson ran for 97 yards for the Falcons. The Eagles stuffed him late on fourth-and-1 at the Atlanta 39.
Barkley was quiet until the go-ahead drive, a week after he rushed for 109 yards and scored three touchdowns against Green Bay. Eagles fans booed when the opening drive of the game ended without Barkley touching the ball. They went wild when he had consecutive 9-yard runs to open the second drive. Barkley had 40 yards rushing in the first half.
Former Eagles QB Nick Foles, who led the franchise to its only Super Bowl title, served as an honorary captain and led the crowd in a rendition of “Fly, Eagles, Fly.”
The Falcons played without LB Nate Landman (calf, quad).
Atlanta hosts Super Bowl champion Kansas City on Sunday.
The Eagles play at New Orleans on Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London reacts to scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) reacts to intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) celebrates his touchdown with Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom (63) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Former Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles, third from right, walks with Philadelphia Eagles' Brandon Graham, from left, Jordan Mailata and Darius Slay Jr. as they honor Foles' retirement before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) is brought down during the first half of an NFL football game by Atlanta Falcons' Jessie Bates III, left, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is tackled by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is stopped by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts warms up before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs past Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs past Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
