2 June 2005

Alert

Leading newspaper columnist Samir Kassir killed in Beirut car bombing


Incident details

Samir Kassir

journalist(s)

killed

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(RSF/IFEX) - RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard, who is currently in Lebanon, has voiced dismay at the murder of columnist Samir Kassir, of "An-Nahar" newspaper, who was killed when his car blew up in Beirut on the morning of 2 June 2005.

"We are in a complete state of shock after Samir Kassir's cowardly murder," Ménard said. "We have lost a friend, and press freedom has lost a passionate defender. We share his family's grief and anger, and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the entire staff of 'An-Nahar'."

"The French authorities and the UN commission investigating the assassination of Rafik Hariri should pay particular attention to this new act of terrorism. Those responsible for the murder, which targeted a great journalist, must be identified, arrested and punished. We promise to remain mobilised until justice has been done," Ménard added.

Kassir was killed when his white Alfa Romeo car exploded at 10:45 a.m. (local time) in the Christian neighbourhood of Achrafieh. A woman whose identity was not immediately known was injured by the blast.

Lebanese army soldiers rushed to the scene of the bombing. The prime minister and the French ambassador also went to the scene.

A writer and historian with both French and Lebanese citizenship, the 45-year-old Kassir had been writing columns for the past 10 years for "An-Nahar" ("The Day" in Arabic), a moderate daily with a circulation of 55,000.

Well-known for his anti-Syrian positions and his criticism of the "Lebanese police state," he had been harassed and threatened for years. He was also an active participant in the anti-Syrian protests in spring 2005.



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Updates to this story

Five years after journalist Samir Kassir's murder, impunity persists 31 May 2010 French investigation at standstill four years after journalist Samir Kassir's murder 2 June 2009 After three years, still no significant progress in journalist Samir Kassir's murder investigation 3 June 2008 Journalist Qassir's killers still at large after one year 2 June 2006 CPJ urges UN to expand Lebanon inquiry to include journalist attacks 11 October 2005 Slain journalist's wife says investigation needs full backing of Paris and Beirut 21 July 2005 IPI outraged by journalist's murder, says impunity continues in many cases of murdered journalists 6 June 2005

At a glance

Lebanon
Lebanon

IFEX members working in this country 1

 
Key reports and information
  • Press Freedom Index 2011-2012: Lebanon

    Local authorities cooperate with Syrian government in tracking down dissident journalists and bloggers fleeing to Lebanon

    Reporters Without Borders 25 January 2012

  • World Report 2012: Lebanon

    Tortured whistleblower being investigated for "publishing information harmful to the reputation of the Lebanese Military"

    Human Rights Watch 23 January 2012

 
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