The Need for Oxygen is Preventing Riad Salemeh From Appearing Before Justice

In the case of #Riad_Salameh, former Governor of Banque du Liban, interrogations have recently been suspended after he failed to appear, submitting through his legal counsel medical excuses citing a deterioration in his health and a need for approximately 10 liters of oxygen per day due to heart and respiratory conditions.

This comes after the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation initiated a judicial investigation into a case related to the management of Lebanon’s banking and financial sector during the economic crisis, following a complaint filed by current Central Bank Governor Karim Souaid against both former Governor Riad Salameh and Chairman of Bank Audi Samir Hanna, amid suspicions surrounding financial conduct during that period.

In light of the repeated medical excuses, the judge has appointed a forensic doctor from the Internal Security Forces to conduct a thorough medical examination, verify the accuracy of the submitted claims, and review the medical file, with a detailed report to follow. A new hearing has been scheduled for May 4 to question Salameh, while Hanna’s interrogation is expected to resume in an upcoming session before the Public Prosecutor.

Is oxygen a valid excuse or not? No one can say for certain at this stage. Yet the bitter irony in Lebanon remains: when corruption is exposed and accountability is due, those involved often find a way to evade it—ultimately escaping without facing justice, to the frustration of many.