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Lebanon refers Hezbollah financial arm to prosecutor for investigation
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Crime & Justice

Lebanon refers Hezbollah financial arm to prosecutor for investigation

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Lebanon's justice minister referred Hezbollah's financial arm, Al-Qard Al-Hassan, to the Public Prosecutor's Office for investigation.
  • The move addresses concerns over financial activities operating outside Lebanon's banking system and international pressure on anti-money laundering measures.
  • The minister stated the referral was an internal initiative based on a ministry review, not external pressure.

Lebanon's justice minister has initiated a judicial investigation into Al-Qard Al-Hassan, the financial arm of Hezbollah. The move targets the institution's financial activities, which operate outside the country's formal banking system. This action comes amid increasing international scrutiny of Lebanon's anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing regulations.

Based on a study conducted by the ministry, we reached conclusions and identified grounds that warranted placing the case before the Public Prosecutor's Office, which will now take the necessary steps.

— Adel NassarLebanon's Justice Minister Adel Nassar explaining the referral of Hezbollah's financial arm to the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Justice Minister Adel Nassar explained that the referral followed a ministry review. "Based on a study conducted by the ministry, we reached conclusions and identified grounds that warranted placing the case before the Public Prosecutor's Office, which will now take the necessary steps," Nassar told Asharq Al-Awsat. He emphasized that the ministry's role was to identify potential issues and make a referral, leaving the determination of any offense to the prosecutors.

The ministry's role is limited to making a referral when information emerges that warrants an investigation.

— Adel NassarLebanon's Justice Minister Adel Nassar clarifying the scope of his ministry's involvement in the investigation.

Al-Qard Al-Hassan has been under U.S. Treasury sanctions for years, accused of supporting Hezbollah's illicit activities. Lebanon's central bank, Banque du Liban, has previously prohibited licensed financial institutions from dealing with it. Minister Nassar clarified that this investigation was an internal initiative, not a response to foreign demands. The ministry also examined other entities, including Joud, finding grounds for referral in their operations as well.

This is not limited to Al-Qard Al-Hassan. It also involves other entities, including Joud.

— Adel NassarLebanon's Justice Minister Adel Nassar indicating that the investigation extends beyond Al-Qard Al-Hassan.

The judiciary will now independently assess whether any violations or crimes have occurred. "That is a matter for the courts to decide, independently and without interference from any authority, including the Ministry of Justice," Nassar stated. Attention is now on the judicial proceedings and potential legal measures against the institution or its leadership.

That is a matter for the courts to decide, independently and without interference from any authority, including the Ministry of Justice.

— Adel NassarLebanon's Justice Minister Adel Nassar emphasizing the judiciary's independence in the investigation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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