In a significant development, judicial sources report that the Lebanese government has indicted former central bank governor Riad Salameh and ex-commercial banker Samir Hanna for alleged financial crimes, including embezzlement and illicit enrichment. The accusations against Salameh, who served as central bank governor from 1993 to July 2023, involve the misappropriation of tens of millions of dollars from the Banque du Liban or Lebanese central bank. Hanna, former head of Bank Audi, is also accused of bribing Salameh during his tenure as central bank governor. This marks the first time a commercial banker has been indicted in relation to Salameh, indicating that investigations into the former governor are now extending to the private sector. Riad Salameh, 76, was placed under medical supervision at a government hospital outside Beirut after missing a hearing over the case and being detained last month. Hanna, 88, has paid a $1m bail and remains free as financial investigations continue. In January, current central bank governor Karim Souaid revealed that the central bank had filed a criminal complaint against an unnamed former central bank official, a former banker, and a lawyer over alleged illicit enrichment through misuse of public funds. The operations were carried out through four offshore shell companies in the Cayman Islands. Salameh was previously detained for approximately 13 months over financial crimes committed during his tenure but was released in September after posting a record bail of more than $14m. He currently faces investigations abroad, including in France, Switzerland, and Germany.