BEIRUT — Riad Salameh, Lebanon’s former Central Bank governor who faces allegations of embezzlement, was transferred Monday from Roumieh Prison, north of Beirut, to a nearby hospital amid reports of his deteriorating health.What happened: On Monday, Judge Ahmad Rami al-Hajj ordered Salameh transfer to Dahr el-Bachek Hospital for medical examinations including heart and respiratory testing, the state-run National News Agency reported.However, Salameh, who has been on hunger strike since his arrest on Saturday, refused medical treatment, according to the NNA.According to LBCI, Hajj ordered that Salameh remain at the hospital until he completes the required tests.Reports of Salameh’s deteriorating health emerged on Sunday after his attending physician visited him. In a voice note widely circulated on social media, he said Salameh’s condition was worsening as he was refusing food, water and medication.جزء من الرسالة الصوتية للطبيب الكسندر خوري، المشرف على الحالة الصحية لحاكم مصرف لبنان السابق رياض سلامة pic.twitter.com/ikSvdXRDI7— Annahar النهار (@Annahar) August 2, 2026
“Since they intend to get rid of me, I’m going to make it easy for them,” Salameh reportedly said, according to his doctor, who noted that his blood pressure was very high.In a statement on Sunday, his lawyer said Salameh’s health was “extremely unstable” and requires “continuous care and monitoring.”Salameh, 76, was due to appear in court last Thursday for questioning in connection with a complaint filed earlier this year by current Central Bank Governor Karim Souaid, accusing him of embezzlement, illicit enrichment and money laundering.According to local reports, police were sent to Salameh's residence to escort him to court, but he suffered a medical emergency en route and was taken to a hospital instead, prompting the judge to postpone the hearing. Authorities briefly lost track of him before he was located Friday at Bhannes Hospital north of Beirut, where he remained under police guard by court order.On Saturday, Hajj ordered him detained at Roumieh Prison.Why it matters: As Salameh’s health has deteriorated, many Lebanese have called via social media for him to name all those responsible for Lebanon’s financial collapse.رياض سلامه يبدأ إضراب عن الطعام تكلّم يا رياض افضحهم تكلّم الإضراب لا يفيد— Michel Kozah (@MichelKozah) August 2, 2026
