Monaco’s judicial authorities have closed a three-year investigation into corruption allegations against Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister and his family, citing a lack of evidence, according to a statement from Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s office on Friday. The probe, initiated by unspecified Lebanese plaintiffs, focused on allegations of illicit enrichment and money laundering.
Morgan Raymond, the deputy public prosecutor in Monaco, informed Mikati’s legal team about the closure of the investigation. In response, Mikati’s office described the case as “fake” and driven by political motives. They vowed to take legal action against those responsible for spreading “lies and rumors” about the prime minister and his family.
Additionally, in 2021, leaked documents known as the “Pandora Papers” revealed that Lebanon’s politicians and bankers had been storing wealth in offshore tax havens for years, using it to purchase expensive properties. Mikati himself has owned an offshore company based in Panama since the 1990s, which he used to acquire a property worth over $10 million in Monaco in 2008.
The leaked documents also revealed that Mikati’s son, Maher, served as a director for two companies based in the British Virgin Islands. These companies were utilized by Mikati’s Monaco-based company, M1 Group, to secure an office in central London.
It is worth noting that Mikati released a statement asserting that his family’s wealth was accumulated prior to his involvement in politics and that it adheres to global standards, subject to regular scrutiny by auditors.
In conclusion, Monaco’s decision to close the investigation due to insufficient evidence has brought relief to Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his family, who will now pursue legal action against those responsible for spreading false accusations. The Pandora Papers leak has shed further light on the offshore financial activities of Lebanon’s politicians and bankers, including Mikati’s connection to offshore companies and property acquisitions. However, Mikati maintains that his family’s wealth predates his political career and complies with international standards.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
