Lebanon's former central bank governor, Riad Salameh, has been detained and arrested following a hearing at the country's judicial palace, according to Lebanese state media. The arrest came after Judge Jamal al-Hajjar, who serves as the public prosecutor, interrogated Salameh on Tuesday. This marks the first time Salameh has appeared before Lebanon's judiciary since leaving his post last year.

Salameh, 73, had held the position of governor of the Banque du Liban, Lebanon's central bank, for a remarkable three decades. However, his tenure ended on a contentious note, as allegations of financial crimes, including illicit enrichment through public funds, plagued his final months. These accusations were not only raised in Lebanon but also by authorities in multiple countries, including France.

Notably, Salameh is wanted by French authorities for alleged financial crimes, which led Interpol to issue "red notices" targeting him. Despite international warrants, Lebanon does not extradite its citizens. Throughout the ongoing investigations, Salameh has consistently refuted allegations of corruption, embezzlement, and illicit enrichment. He maintains that his wealth stems from inherited properties, investments, and his previous employment as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.

During his recent interrogation by Judge al-Hajjar, which spanned over three hours, Salameh faced questioning on various financial matters. One such issue involved allegations of hiring a company called Optimum to manipulate financial statements and conceal Lebanon's worsening financial losses. While further details surrounding his detention and transfer to a more secure prison remain undisclosed, it is expected that Salameh will be held in custody as the investigation continues.

Lebanon's caretaker Justice Minister, Judge Henry Khoury, affirmed the government's respect for the judiciary's decision, stating, "The judiciary has spoken. We respect the judiciary's decision." Similarly, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati emphasized that the government would not interfere in the legal proceedings.

Salameh's arrest marks a significant development in Lebanon's ongoing financial crisis, which has plagued the country since late 2019. As the investigations progress, it remains to be seen how this high-profile case will impact the nation's financial landscape, as well as its pursuit of justice and accountability.

(Note: This news article is based on information provided by Lebanese state media and does not contain any additional content beyond the given information.