Najib Mikati, the prime minister of Lebanon, is facing allegations of money laundering after a complaint was filed in France by two anti-corruption groups. French prosecutors have not yet determined whether to launch an investigation into the claims. Mikati, one of the wealthiest people in Lebanon, has served as prime minister since 2021. The complaint against him accuses him of accumulating significant wealth and questions the origin of funds that transited through the French banking system.
The complaint was formally filed with France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s office by the anti-corruption NGO Sherpa and the Collective of Victims of Fraudulent and Criminal Practices. The objective of the complaint is to shed light on how Lebanese political figures, including Mikati, amassed considerable wealth and the involvement of financial intermediaries in facilitating these acquisitions. Details about the sums of money involved have not been disclosed, but the complaint raises concerns about Mikati’s accumulation of assets in France and the origin of funds within the French banking system.
In response to the allegations, Mikati issued a statement through Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, denying any wrongdoing. He affirmed that he and his family have always acted in compliance with the law and emphasized the integrity of their business practices, characterized by transparency. Despite the allegations, French prosecutors have not made a decision on whether to initiate an investigation into the matter. Mikati, considered one of the wealthiest individuals in Lebanon, previously founded the telecommunications company Investcom with his brother Taha in the 1980s, selling it in 2006 for $5.5 billion to South Africa’s MTN Group.
The accusations against Mikati come at a time of heightened scrutiny of financial practices and political figures in Lebanon, a country grappling with a severe economic crisis and political instability. The complaint filed by the anti-corruption groups underscores concerns about the wealth accumulation of political figures and the role of financial intermediaries in facilitating these acquisitions. With French prosecutors yet to decide on the next steps, the situation surrounding Mikati’s alleged money laundering remains unresolved. Mikati’s longstanding position as one of the richest individuals in Lebanon further underscores the significance of these allegations and the potential implications for his political career and reputation.
