In Beirut, a former Lebanese minister has been taken into custody and implicated in an investigation concerning alleged financial misconduct, according to officials from the judiciary and security agencies. The former Economy Minister, Amin Salam, faced arrest after undergoing a three-hour interrogation concerning the unauthorized usage of ministry finances and involvement with questionable contracts.
These details were disclosed by three judicial figures and one security official, all of whom requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly. Lebanon has been attempting to revitalize its troubled economy, which for many years has been bogged down by excessive profiteering.
Salam faces charges of forgery, embezzlement, and public fund misappropriation. Local news outlets reported that these charges are linked to accusations of extorting private insurance companies and misappropriating funds from a committee overseeing these companies for personal expenses.
While Salam has not provided a direct public statement, he recently circulated a video on social media dismissing these claims. In the clip, he argues that his use of the funds was aimed at boosting the effectiveness and transparency of the overseeing committee.
Serving as the minister of economy for more than three years, Salam was appointed in 2021 during a period when Lebanon’s economic landscape had significantly worsened. The country faced severe challenges, including drastic power blackouts, fuel scarcities, and soaring food prices.