French financial prosecutors have opened a preliminary inquiry into Najib Mikati, the former prime minister of Lebanon, and his brother Taha following accusations of fraud and money laundering tied to their fortune. The investigation, confirmed by advocacy groups, centers on claims that the Mikati family used a network of offshore firms to amass wealth and acquire assets in France.
The probe was triggered by a complaint filed in April 2024 by Sherpa, a French anti-corruption organization, and the Collective of Victims of Fraudulent and Criminal Practices in Lebanon. These groups allege that the Mikatis systematically employed shell companies and channeled funds through French banks to build their holdings.
“The decision to open this case shows that French judicial authorities are prepared to scrutinize these acquisitions and the flow of money through the country’s banking system,” a Sherpa representative stated.
In response, the Mikati family acknowledged the existence of the investigation but rejected any wrongdoing. They issued a statement asserting that their wealth is “clear, legal, and fully transparent,” and that it resulted from decades of international business and investments across various sectors, predating their public service roles. They added that they had not received formal notification from French officials and learned of the matter through news reports.
William Bourdon, Sherpa’s founder and a lawyer, noted that under French law, prosecutors are not required to inform individuals named in a complaint about the filing or the opening of an inquiry. He remarked that the family’s legal representatives “are fully aware of this.” He characterized the case as involving “complex, partially transnational facts” that could take many months or even over a year to resolve.
“The key question is to assess the accountability of all parties involved, potentially leading to the return of misappropriated funds. As Lebanon faces an unprecedented crisis, the need to return these assets to victims must stay central,” Sherpa added.
Najib Mikati, now 69, has held Lebanon’s top office multiple times, most recently serving as prime minister from 2021 to January 2025. His brother Taha previously drew attention in 2022 when a judge in Liechtenstein launched a probe into financial transfers between companies tied to Riad Salame, Lebanon’s former central bank governor—now under investigation in six nations—and the ex-premier’s sibling.
Bourdon confirmed that the same investigative unit handling the Salame case is now working on the Mikati matter and “already has a fairly comprehensive picture of the links among the different parties.”