BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon has accused the country’s former central bank governor of illicit enrichment and issued an arrest warrant for the detained banker, the second in less than two months, judicial officials said Thursday .

Riad Salameh, 74, was indicted by Mount Lebanon’s first investigating judge Nicola Mansour for an apartment rented in France to serve as a replacement office for the central bank if necessary, the four officials said undercover of anonymity because they were not authorized. speak to the media.

Officials said Salameh rented the apartment from his “former partner” Anna Kosakova for about $500,000 a year. They added that the apartment was small and almost empty except for a few computers.

After questioning Salameh, Nicola issued a warrant for his arrest. Salameh had been detained by Lebanese authorities since early September.

Salameh has for years denied allegations of corruption, embezzlement and illicit enrichment. He insists his wealth comes from inherited properties, investments and his previous job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.

At the beginning of September, Lebanon indicts Salameh with the embezzlement of 42 million dollars per day after his detention.

Salame ended his 30-year term as governor of the central bank a year ago, under a cloud, with several European countries investigate allegations of financial crimes. Many in Lebanon blame him for the crippling financial crisis that has hit the country since the end of 2019.

He was appointed in 1993 and was initially celebrated for his role in Lebanon’s economic recovery after 15 years of civil war, and for keeping the economy on an even footing during long periods of impasse and political unrest.

Embattled Salameh is also in the midst of several other cases against him, both locally and internationally.

France, Germany and Luxembourg are also investigating Salameh and his close associates for alleged illicit enrichment and laundering of $330 million.

Salameh criticized the European investigation and said it was part of a media and political campaign scapegoating him.

Meanwhile, the US, UK and Canada have sanctioned Salameh and his close associates, and France has issued an international arrest warrant for him, although Lebanon is not handing over its own citizens in custody. of their extradition.