A prominent Lebanese activist and editor, known for his public criticism of the Hezbollah militant group, was found dead in his car on Thursday morning, according to the Associated Press.
Lokman Slim, 58, was a Shiite political activist and researcher. After being reported missing for hours since Wednesday night, Slim’s body was discovered in the passenger seat of his vehicle with several gunshot wounds, the AP reported.
News of his assassination raised concerns that political tension in Lebanon could spill over into a wave of new murders.
“He carried the weight of this country on his back,” Slim’s sister, Rasha al-Ameer, told the AP. “Until today, in the history of Lebanon, all investigations have reached a dead end,” she continued.
Slim’s wife, Monika Borgmann, called for an international investigation into her husband’s death, according to the news agency. “This killer needs to be punished,” said Borgmann.
Al-Ameer accused Hezbollah of the murder, although the group publicly condemned and called for an investigation.
Days before being attacked, Slim condemned Hezbollah supporters for allegedly threatening him at his home and accusing him of treason.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Antony BlinkenOvernight Defense: New START extended for five years | Austin orders ‘step back’ to fight extremism | Panel recommends Biden postponing withdrawal from Afghanistan USA “disappointed” by the UN court decision on the Iran case: State Department study group recommends Biden postponing withdrawal from Afghanistan MORE denounced the murder, saying it was “cowardly and unacceptable to resort to violence, threats and intimidation as a way of subverting the rule of law or suppressing freedom of expression and civic activism,” according to the AP.
He also asked Lebanese authorities to act quickly to bring the killers to justice, the AP reported.