Lebanon’s former central bank governor, Riad Salameh, was released from detention on September 26, 2025, after posting a record-setting bail of $14 million, according to both Reuters and the Associated Press. The decision marks a dramatic chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding Salameh, who for decades was credited with maintaining Lebanon’s financial stability but now stands accused of serious financial crimes that many believe contributed to the country’s catastrophic economic collapse.
Salameh, who is now 74 years old, had been detained for 13 months on charges linked to corruption and financial misconduct. His arrest in September 2024 followed mounting domestic and international scrutiny, with European prosecutors also investigating possible money laundering and illicit transfers abroad, as reported by Reuters. The charges against Salameh are sweeping, ranging from embezzlement of public funds to illicit enrichment and financial crimes that cross borders. In Lebanon, he faces allegations of embezzling $42 million and is accused of renting an apartment in France for about $500,000 annually from his former romantic partner, supposedly as a backup office for the central bank, the Associated Press detailed.
The bail Salameh posted was not only substantial in U.S. dollar terms but also included five billion Lebanese pounds—about $55,866—making it the highest bail ever set in Lebanon’s legal history, according to a judicial source cited by Reuters. After the legal procedures were completed and the unprecedented sum was paid, Salameh was released from custody. However, his freedom is limited: a one-year travel ban remains in effect as judicial proceedings continue, and investigators immediately questioned him about the source of the bail funds, requesting documentation to prove the money was not derived from illicit activities, AP reported.
Salameh’s fall from grace is emblematic of Lebanon’s wider crisis of governance and accountability. For three decades, he served as the head of Lebanon’s central bank, Banque du Liban, starting in 1993. Initially, he was celebrated for steering Lebanon’s post-civil war economic recovery and for keeping the economy afloat during long periods of political instability and gridlock. As AP notes, he was once hailed as the architect of Lebanon’s financial stability, a reputation that would unravel as Lebanon’s banking system collapsed in 2019.
The events of 2019 were a turning point not only for Salameh but for the entire country. Lebanon’s financial sector imploded, leaving millions of depositors unable to access their life savings as the Lebanese pound plummeted in value. The crisis triggered one of the worst economic meltdowns in the nation’s history. Many Lebanese citizens and officials now blame Salameh for policies and practices that, in their view, enabled or accelerated the collapse. The Associated Press observed that he is widely blamed for the economic meltdown, with depositors suffering devastating losses as the currency collapsed.
Salameh’s legal troubles extend far beyond Lebanon’s borders. Several European countries are probing allegations of financial crimes, including possible money laundering and illicit transfers of funds abroad. This international dimension has further complicated his case and raised questions about the reach and effectiveness of Lebanon’s judicial system amid a broader crisis of public trust in state institutions. According to Reuters, Salameh’s case has become a symbol of Lebanon’s broader economic and governance challenges, reflecting both the collapse of trust in state institutions and the difficulties of holding powerful officials to account.
The specifics of the charges against Salameh are complex and multi-layered. In September 2024, Lebanese authorities charged him with embezzlement of $42 million, later adding charges of illicit enrichment related to the French apartment. The apartment, rented for $500,000 a year, was allegedly intended as a substitute office for the central bank if needed. Officials allege that Salameh rented the property from his former romantic partner, raising further questions about conflicts of interest and misuse of public funds, as AP reported.
Salameh’s health became an issue during his detention. According to the Associated Press, his health declined while in custody, and he was hospitalized at a facility outside Beirut prior to his release. His lawyer, Marc Habka, emphasized Salameh’s poor health and asserted that all necessary evidence had been presented to the court to prove his client’s innocence. “We have presented to the court all the evidence,” Habka told journalists, underscoring the defense’s position. He added, “It’s the right of the Lebanese people to know, in the end. If Riad Salameh is involved (in the alleged crimes), he will be convicted. If other people are involved, they will be convicted, and if he is innocent, he will be acquitted.”
Despite the bail and ongoing legal scrutiny, Salameh’s release has reignited public debate in Lebanon. Many citizens view his case as a litmus test for the country’s ability to address high-level corruption and restore faith in its institutions. Critics argue that the slow pace of accountability and the sheer scale of the alleged crimes have deepened public cynicism about whether justice will truly be served. At the same time, Salameh’s defenders insist that he is being scapegoated for a crisis driven by broader political and economic dysfunction, pointing to decades of mismanagement and external pressures that have battered Lebanon’s fragile financial system.
The court’s decision to deny Salameh’s request for release without bail—and to set such a high bail amount—signals both the seriousness of the charges and the judiciary’s attempt to balance due process with public demand for accountability. After posting bail, Salameh was immediately questioned about the origins of the funds, reflecting widespread concerns about the possibility of using illicitly obtained money to secure his release. The Associated Press reported that investigators demanded documentation to prove the bail money was not the proceeds of criminal activity.
Salameh’s future remains uncertain. With multiple criminal cases pending in both Lebanese and European courts, and with a travel ban in place, he faces a lengthy legal battle that could have significant implications not just for him personally but for Lebanon’s broader efforts to confront corruption and restore economic stability. The world will be watching to see whether Lebanon’s judiciary can deliver justice in a case that has come to symbolize the nation’s deep-seated challenges.
For many Lebanese, the story of Riad Salameh is about more than one man’s alleged crimes—it is a reflection of a country struggling to reckon with its past, its institutions, and its future. As the legal process continues, the Lebanese people are left waiting, hoping for answers and accountability in a time of unprecedented crisis.
