Lebanon’s judicial authorities on Tuesday ordered the release of former economy minister Amin Salam on $100,000 bail after he spent months in detention over alleged financial crimes, officials said.
Salam, who was arrested in June, will be barred from travelling for six months while investigations continue. Judicial officials said he will face trial at the Beirut Criminal Court once the case file is completed.
Four judicial officials, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said Salam has paid the bail and is expected to be released within hours.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency also reported the decision to release Salam and the bail amount, without providing further details.
Salam has been charged with forgery, embezzlement and misuse of public funds. At the time of his detention, local media reported that the case involved allegations of extorting private insurance companies and using money from a committee overseeing those firms for personal expenses.
Salam has denied all allegations.
He served as economy minister for more than three years after being appointed in 2021, a period marked by a sharp economic collapse in Lebanon, widespread power outages, fuel shortages and soaring food prices.
Lebanon has been attempting to reform its crisis-hit economy, which has long been plagued by profiteering and financial mismanagement.