Lebanon's former economy minister set to face trial on financial charges

A Lebanese judge has indicted former Economy Minister Amin Salam on financial charges, signaling a significant step towards accountability, according to a senior MP. Salam, who held the position from 2021 to 2025, is currently under investigation for alleged embezzlement, forgery, blackmail, bribery, and illicit enrichment. Co-accused with Salam are his brother Karim and Elie Abboud, who formerly led the syndicate of certified accountants.

All three deny the charges, with Salam asserting they are "attacks" against him. The case was referred by Beirut judge Roula Osman to a criminal court.

Farid Al Bustani, head of the Lebanese Parliament's Economy, Trade, Industry and Planning Committee, termed the development as crucial on the road to accountability and strengthening institutional integrity. Salam was apprehended last year following a complaint filed by Bustani's committee, alleging embezzlement, extortion, and misuse of public funds.

The committee claimed Salam had awarded overpriced contracts to foreign companies for services that were not proportionate, and misappropriated funds from the Insurance Companies Contribution Fund, under the purview of the Economy Ministry.

Salam was arrested in the summer, later released in December on a bail of nine billion Lebanese lira (approximately $100,000) and subjected to a travel ban. During his tenure as Economy Minister, Salam presided over Lebanon's financial crisis aftermath in 2019, deemed one of the worst in modern history by the World Bank, and in 2024 during Israel's war on Lebanon.