Judiciary Takes Bold Step Against Corruption in Lebanese Government

Judiciary pushes forward as political shielding of officials faces increasing criticism

English version based on the Arabic-language article published by Akhbar al-Yawm

In a rare legal move, Lebanon's Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Judge Jamal Al-Hajjar, ordered the arrest of former Economy and Trade Minister Amin Salam on charges of corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and signing suspicious contracts during his tenure. The decision marks the first such arrest of a former minister in over a decade, since the 2003 detention of then-Agriculture Minister Ali Abdallah, who was released after spending seven months in custody over similar allegations.

Sources indicate that Salam’s arrest would not have been possible without lifting the political immunity, particularly from the bloc that initially supported his appointment. The legal action was prompted by a complaint filed by the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, chaired by MP Farid Al-Boustani (a member of the Strong Lebanon bloc), along with a formal grievance submitted by current Economy Minister Amer al-Bsat through the Legal Department at the Ministry of Justice.

A senior political source told the "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency that while the judiciary should have the final say in such matters, the arrest could signal a broader shift toward genuine accountability. The source expressed hope that similar scrutiny would extend to other ministries long plagued by mismanagement and corruption. He emphasized the importance of ending the political cover that has protected many former ministers, directors general, and public officials, regardless of their position or political affiliation.

The source criticized political groups for imposing specific names during cabinet formation and appointments, often prioritizing loyalty over competence. "They appoint ineffective ministers, then expect public praise for withdrawing support when things go wrong", he said.

The source concluded by questioning the responsibility of political parties in vetting their candidates: "Shouldn’t parties at least conduct background checks like recruitment agencies do? Who then is accountable for the financial and reputational damage caused by these appointments?"