Riad Salameh, the former governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank, has now spent three days in detention following his arrest by the Public Prosecution Office. Escorted in handcuffs to prison, Salameh awaits his first interrogation session scheduled for next Monday. The session, to be presided over by First Investigative Judge Bilal Halawi, is expected to determine whether an arrest warrant will be issued or if Salameh will be released under investigation with conditions such as a residence guarantee or a significant financial bail.

According to an article posted on Al-Modon news website, Salameh is currently held in a cell reserved for high-profile figures, known as the "Four Officers' Prison"—the same facility that housed those accused of involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

His air-conditioned cell is located on the ground floor of the Internal Security Forces Directorate and is equipped with a landline phone, television, and private bathroom. This particular cell has previously accommodated other prominent detainees, including Huda Salloum, the head of the Vehicle and Traffic Department, and Major Suzanne Al-Hajj.

Salameh’s arrest has sent shockwaves through Lebanon’s legal and political spheres, as he was long viewed as an untouchable figure.

Al-Modon cited judicial sources as saying that Salameh was deliberately lured to the Beirut Justice Palace for his arrest. The decision was made by Judge Ghassan Al-Hajjar, who based his actions on documents and evidence provided by the Central Bank’s Special Investigation Commission. These documents revealed serious financial mismanagement under Salameh’s tenure, including suspicious transfers of $42 million from the Central Bank.

The documents show that this money was first routed to the account of lawyer Michel Touma, a close associate of Salameh. It was then transferred to the account of lawyer Marwan Issa El-Khoury, Salameh’s nephew and legal representative for his brother Raja Salameh. Finally, the funds were sent to Salameh’s personal bank account. During his preliminary questioning, Salameh was reportedly unable to provide a convincing explanation for these transactions.

The case has exposed growing political interference in Lebanon’s judicial process. Salameh’s potential testimony has raised concerns that long-held secrets about Lebanon’s political class could come to light. As a result, pressure is mounting on the judiciary to release him. Sources report that some judges fear repercussions if they proceed aggressively with the case, particularly the possibility of being removed from their positions. This political influence has caused internal tensions, with some judges reportedly seeking ways to distance themselves from the controversial case.

Despite these pressures, Judge Halawi is expected to continue with the investigation, which could lead to additional individuals being called in for questioning. Both Michel Touma and Marwan Issa El-Khoury, key figures in the suspicious transactions, are likely to face interrogation in the coming weeks.