Lebanese journalist Abir Rahhal shot dead by husband in murder-suicide

A horrific crime rocked Lebanon on Thursday when Khalil Massoud shot and killed his wife, journalist Abir Rahhal, with a bullet to the head in front of the courthouse in the town of Chehime in the Chouf region.

Rahhal had filed for separation from her husband, with a court hearing scheduled for next month. While they were at the courthouse, Massoud shot her, killing her instantly, and then fled the scene.

Two hours after the crime, he posted a video on his Facebook account detailing his disputes with his wife, accusing her of engaging in relationships that could damage her reputation, particularly regarding her work for a local website he claimed to have founded. He also alleged that an officer in the Internal Security Forces was biased against him in the matter.

In the video, Massoud stated, "By the time you watch this video, I will have left this world," and a security source later confirmed that his body was found after his suicide.

Suha, a resident of Chehime, told Sky News Arabia that the crime was shocking, as the sound of gunfire was heard by everyone near the courthouse, and Abir died instantly while the perpetrator escaped.

She noted that such crimes are not uncommon in Lebanon, but Massoud's video, which contained scandalous allegations about his wife, was particularly unusual. The video mentioned several names from Chehime and neighboring towns, including some associated with security forces.

Sources from Chehime confirmed that Massoud and Rahhal had three children together.