French judicial authorities have initiated a sweeping criminal investigation into the role of Lebanese banks and their European subsidiaries in facilitating large-scale capital flight during Lebanon’s financial collapse. The inquiry represents a significant escalation in international efforts to hold financial institutions accountable for practices that allegedly accelerated one of the most severe economic crises in modern history.

At the center of the investigation are the French operations of major Lebanese financial institutions, including the subsidiary of Bank Audi and Banque Richelieu France. The latter is associated with Société Générale de Banque au Liban and prominent Lebanese banker Antoun Sehnaoui. Investigators are examining whether these entities enabled or participated in illicit financial transfers that allowed politically connected individuals and wealthy clients to move funds out of Lebanon while ordinary citizens were subjected to strict capital controls.

The probe, led by the Financial Section of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office, is being conducted by France’s specialized anti-corruption unit tasked with tackling complex financial crimes. Authorities are reportedly investigating a range of serious allegations, including money laundering, breach of trust, handling of illicit assets, and criminal conspiracy. There is also the possibility that tax fraud charges could emerge as the investigation progresses.

The case was triggered by legal complaints filed in July 2025 by the Paris-based anti-corruption organization Sherpa and a coalition known as the Collective of Victims of Fraudulent and Criminal Practices in Lebanon. These groups have been instrumental in pushing for international accountability over the financial collapse........

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