BEIRUT (AP) — Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam has been arrested and charged with multiple financial crimes following an official investigation, according to judicial and security sources who spoke to The Associated Press under condition of anonymity.
Salam was detained on May 30, 2024, after undergoing a three-hour interrogation over the alleged illegal use of funds from the Ministry of Economy and questionable contract dealings. He is now formally charged with forgery, embezzlement, and misuse of public funds.
Sources indicated the case may involve extortion of private insurance companies and misappropriation of funds from a supervisory committee overseeing those companies, allegedly for Salam’s personal use.
Though Salam has not made a direct statement, he posted a video on social media on Monday denying the accusations, claiming that the funds in question were used to enhance transparency and effectiveness within the committee.
Salam held the post of Economy Minister for over three years, starting in 2021, during one of the most severe economic crises in Lebanon’s history, marked by widespread blackouts, fuel shortages, and rising food prices. Lebanon continues to face deep economic challenges and pressure to reform its fragile public sector.
