Details of Salameh’s Transfer to Hospital: Between His Health Condition and Judicial Measures
8/22/2026 1:33:46 PM
MTV's website learned from sources about new developments regarding the transfer of former Banque du Liban Governor Riad Salameh from his place of detention to hospital for medical follow-up, following changes in his health condition over the past two days.
According to the sources, Salameh’s family had submitted a request to Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation Judge Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj, through an intermediary, to transfer him to hospital for the necessary medical examinations. Initially, Judge Al-Hajj delayed ruling on the request and stressed the need to obtain a recent official medical report clearly outlining Salameh’s health condition before making any decision.
Salameh subsequently underwent an immediate medical examination, which showed that his blood pressure had risen to 19, prompting a rapid assessment of the potential health risks of keeping him in prison without specialized medical monitoring. The sources said that information and warnings had reached the relevant judicial authorities indicating that he could suffer serious health complications if he remained in detention without medical care and monitoring.
Based on these medical findings, and to prevent any health complications resulting from a deterioration in his condition while in prison, Judge Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj ordered his transfer to hospital for treatment and medical follow-up.
The sources told MTV that the transfer was carried out under special security measures. He was transported in a medically equipped ambulance rather than an Internal Security Forces vehicle to ensure that his condition remained stable during the journey to the hospital, where he is currently undergoing medical examinations and follow-up under security guard.
It is worth noting that Salameh was detained two weeks ago after being charged in a financial engineering case. He faces allegations of money laundering and wasting public funds. The case was referred to the Beirut Public Prosecution, where Beirut Appellate Public Prosecutor Judge Raja Hamoush filed charges against him and referred him to the Investigative Judge for the continuation of legal proceedings.
His health condition has also fluctuated since his detention, resulting in his transfer several times from his place of detention at the Information Branch building in Roumieh Central Prison to Dahr El Bachek Hospital, under security supervision, with all medical procedures documented upon the instructions of Judge Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj.
Salameh’s family has also repeatedly requested permission to visit him in recent days. However, the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation reportedly conditioned approval of the visits on the family issuing a statement of apology and clarification regarding the treatment Salameh has received from the judiciary. This came after the family issued a statement about his health condition that Judge Al-Hajj deemed inconsistent with the facts and with the exceptional measures he had taken to safeguard Salameh’s health, security and comfort while in detention.
The judicial measures included allowing Salameh to be examined by his personal physician as well as another doctor from the Internal Security Forces. He is also being held in a private room equipped with a television, air conditioning, a table and a chair.
According to the sources, Salameh’s family had submitted a request to Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation Judge Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj, through an intermediary, to transfer him to hospital for the necessary medical examinations. Initially, Judge Al-Hajj delayed ruling on the request and stressed the need to obtain a recent official medical report clearly outlining Salameh’s health condition before making any decision.
Salameh subsequently underwent an immediate medical examination, which showed that his blood pressure had risen to 19, prompting a rapid assessment of the potential health risks of keeping him in prison without specialized medical monitoring. The sources said that information and warnings had reached the relevant judicial authorities indicating that he could suffer serious health complications if he remained in detention without medical care and monitoring.
Based on these medical findings, and to prevent any health complications resulting from a deterioration in his condition while in prison, Judge Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj ordered his transfer to hospital for treatment and medical follow-up.
The sources told MTV that the transfer was carried out under special security measures. He was transported in a medically equipped ambulance rather than an Internal Security Forces vehicle to ensure that his condition remained stable during the journey to the hospital, where he is currently undergoing medical examinations and follow-up under security guard.
It is worth noting that Salameh was detained two weeks ago after being charged in a financial engineering case. He faces allegations of money laundering and wasting public funds. The case was referred to the Beirut Public Prosecution, where Beirut Appellate Public Prosecutor Judge Raja Hamoush filed charges against him and referred him to the Investigative Judge for the continuation of legal proceedings.
His health condition has also fluctuated since his detention, resulting in his transfer several times from his place of detention at the Information Branch building in Roumieh Central Prison to Dahr El Bachek Hospital, under security supervision, with all medical procedures documented upon the instructions of Judge Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj.
Salameh’s family has also repeatedly requested permission to visit him in recent days. However, the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation reportedly conditioned approval of the visits on the family issuing a statement of apology and clarification regarding the treatment Salameh has received from the judiciary. This came after the family issued a statement about his health condition that Judge Al-Hajj deemed inconsistent with the facts and with the exceptional measures he had taken to safeguard Salameh’s health, security and comfort while in detention.
The judicial measures included allowing Salameh to be examined by his personal physician as well as another doctor from the Internal Security Forces. He is also being held in a private room equipped with a television, air conditioning, a table and a chair.