Riad Salameh, then-governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, listens to a journalist's question during a press conference, in Beirut in 2019.Hussein Malla/The Associated Press
Canada is joining peers in leveraging sanctions on a trio of people tied to an alleged embezzlement scandal at Lebanon’s central bank.
The sanctions apply to former bank governor Riad Salameh, his brother Raja Salameh and his former assistant Marianne Hoayek.
The three stand accused of involvement in allegedly siphoning commissions from the central bank when it bought bonds, without providing any services of value.
Prosecutors allege those funds were used to buy luxury properties for the three in multiple European countries.
In a statement released Thursday, Global Affairs Canada said it is imposing the sanctions in coordination with Britain and the U.S.
“These individuals are being listed for their involvement in acts of significant corruption, including the misappropriation of public assets for personal gain and the transfer of the proceeds of corruption to foreign states,” the news release said.
“Today’s sanctions send a clear message that Canada will not tolerate the acts of significant corruption that have contributed to Lebanon’s economic collapse,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly in the release.
The sanctions come as Lebanon is years into an economic crisis, with soaring costs of living and people fleeing for Europe on rickety boats at levels not seen for decades.
Last week, Canada joined other Western countries in chastising Lebanese officials for “stalling” on an impartial investigation into the deadly explosion at the Port of Beirut, marking the third anniversary of that event.