Lebanese Justice: Corruption Pays, Especially with Connections
The New Arab reports that former Lebanese economy minister Amin Salam, who'd been cooling his heels for months under corruption accusations, just walked free on a $100,000 bail. In a country drowning in economic collapse, where ordinary citizens face bank freezes and poverty, this 'justice' certainly feels... selective. Salam, who was part of the failed administration that oversaw the country's
financial meltdown (a meltdown that the Council on Foreign Relations notes began in 2019 due to decades of corruption and mismanagement), now gets to enjoy his freedom while others languish. It really makes one wonder: Is Lebanese law just another suggestion for those with enough cash or political pull? While an estimated 70% of the Lebanese population lives in poverty , a paltry sum
(comparatively speaking) buys freedom for those allegedly responsible for the mess. It's not a legal system; it's a financial transaction, and the poor are always on the wrong side of the ledger.