BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Lebanese judge ordered on Thursday that Raja Salameh, the brother of the central bank governor, remain under arrest after he was charged last week with complicity in illicit enrichment, a judicial source familiar with the decision said.
Governor Riad Salameh has been charged with illicit enrichment in absentia in the same case, related to the purchase and rental of Paris apartments, including some to the central bank.
Riad Salameh has denied the accusations. A lawyer for Raja Salameh has said the charge against his client was unfounded.
The charges against the Salameh brothers were brought by Judge Ghada Aoun, who referred the case to investigating Judge Nicolas Mansour earlier this week.
Raja Salameh has been under arrest since Judge Aoun charged him last week.
At a hearing on Thursday, Judge Mansour ordered Raja Salameh’s arrest pending the provision of documents that show the source of funds used to buy properties that are under investigation, the source said.
Raja Salameh’s lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.
(Reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Alex Richardson)
