Owaidat Questions Ibrahim Bashir's Wife over Embezzlement
Beirut Examining Magistrate Ghassan Owaidat on Thursday questioned for the first time the wife of Higher Relief Council chief Ibrahim Bashir in his office at the Justice Palace.
Last month, the judge issued arrest warrants against Bashir and his wife after they were charged with embezzlement of state funds, smuggling and money laundering.
But Owaidat was not able to interrogate her for being hospitalized.
Two other suspects have also been charged.
Local media reports have said they have embezzled around $10 million in public funds by transferring them to accounts abroad.
The defendants face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The HRC helps Lebanese citizens and communities hit by natural and man-made disasters.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati told a delegation from the council earlier this month that the HRC will maintain its work despite the embezzlement scandal.
Later, The state-run National News Agency reported tht the Financial General Prosecutor Ali Ibrahim ordered the arrest of three former employees at Rafik Hariri University Hospital on embezzlement charges.
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