Lebanese judicial authorities on Thursday ordered security forces to bring former Central Bank governor Riad Salameh to the Justice Palace for questioning after he failed to appear before prosecutors, citing a medical condition that prevented him from attending the hearing.

Following instructions from Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj, a Criminal Investigation Bureau patrol was dispatched at 9 a.m. to Salameh’s residence in the town of Safra to escort him to the courthouse, according to judicial sources.

MTV reported that Salameh was due to appear before the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of Cassation, adding that Al-Hajj had instructed security forces to bring him in for questioning. The order reportedly authorized officers to forcibly open the door of Salameh’s residence if he refused to allow them access.

The move came after Salameh submitted a medical report requesting that his appearance be postponed due to health reasons.

Sources told MTV that the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of Cassation was preparing to review the medical report before deciding on the next legal steps. Prosecutors could either postpone the hearing to a later date or conclude the investigation and refer the case to the Public Prosecution Office for formal charges against the former central bank chief.

Al Jadeed also reported that a Criminal Investigation Bureau unit, accompanied by a supporting force from the Information Branch, had arrived at Salameh’s residence in Safra.

According to the report, Salameh’s lawyer informed authorities that his client would appear voluntarily before the Justice Palace. However, Salameh reportedly suffered a health issue while heading to the courthouse, prompting his lawyer to request permission from the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of Cassation to return him home so that he could be examined by his doctor.

The prosecution is now awaiting the doctor’s report to determine the appropriate legal procedure.

Salameh, who served as governor of Banque du Liban for three decades until 2023, has faced multiple investigations in Lebanon and abroad over allegations including financial misconduct, illicit enrichment, and money laundering.