12/27/2024–|Last updated: 12/27/202411:17 PM (Mecca time)
Yesterday afternoon, Thursday, the Iqlim al-Kharroub region, south of the Lebanese capital, witnessed a horrific crime that claimed the life of journalist Abeer Rahal, at the hands of her husband, Khalil Masoud, following personal and financial disputes between the two parties.
The crime took place inside the corridors of the Shahim Sharia Court, where the husband shot his wife from a close range, leading to her immediate death. The security forces began investigations into the circumstances of the incident.
Details of the crime and the shocking video
Following the incident, Khalil Masoud posted a video clip on his Facebook account in which he explained his motives for committing the crime, pointing to financial disputes related to the management of a website he claimed to have founded with his wife. He also accused one of the Internal Security Forces officers of bias in favor of the victim. At the end of the video, Masoud indicated his intention to commit suicide, saying, “When you watch this video, I will have left this world.”
Suicide of the perpetrator
Later, security forces found Masoud’s body inside his car in the Wadi al-Ma’ana area, where he committed suicide by shooting himself with a military pistol. His body was transported to Siblin Governmental Hospital, where his death was confirmed upon arrival.
Backgrounds of disagreement and divorce
Local sources reported that the couple was in court to complete divorce procedures after disagreements that continued for months. It turned out that Abeer had left her marital home some time ago and returned to her family’s home because she had been subjected to abuse.
#Abeer_Rahal
We cannot remain silent in the face of the heinous crime that claimed the lives of journalist Abeer Rijal, who was killed in cold blood by her husband in a society that is supposed to protect women and respect their dignity. What happened cannot be justified or covered up by any excuse, as murder is a crime that cannot be justified by justifications or by tradition. pic.twitter.com/HyLAAfMbem— josephine zgheib (@josephinezgheib) December 27, 2024
Response of the victim’s family
Abeer’s family issued a statement in which they categorically denied what was contained in the video published by the perpetrator, and described his statements as pure slander aimed at tarnishing their daughter’s reputation. She explained that the deceased was a victim of repeated assaults by her husband, noting that she had submitted several complaints to the judiciary documenting her exposure to violence and mistreatment.
Details of their family life
Abeer married Masoud years ago, and their marriage resulted in three children, the youngest of whom was born just one month before the incident. It is reported that the perpetrator has children from a previous marriage.
When love turns into obsession
Man becomes a prisoner… a patient… a criminal
Even their children were not merciful
Look what he was writing#Abeer_Rahal pic.twitter.com/Ua5AarB637– Nisrine Zawahra 🐦 (@nisrinezawahra_) December 26, 2024
A painful farewell
The town of Daria bid farewell to the late media figure in a funeral that was clouded by an atmosphere of sadness and anger. The funeral participants, along with activists on social media, demanded the need to put an end to the phenomenon of domestic violence and hold perpetrators of similar crimes accountable.
While security investigations continue to reveal details of the incident, the case has topped the Lebanese media scene, once again shedding light on issues of domestic violence.