Woman Dies of Poisoning, Husband Held for Questioning

The KAFA (enough) Violence and Exploitation organization on Monday announced the death of poisoning of a woman identified as Christelle Abou Shakra, revealing that her husband is in custody for interrogation.

“Less than a month after the killing of Manal al-Assi, the citizen Christelle Abou Shakra has met the same fate after she died of poisoning by a pesticide,” KAFA said in a statement.

“Christelle's mother has filed a personal lawsuit against the husband R. H., who is currently being held for interrogation,” it added.

The organization, which seeks to eradicate all forms of gender-based violence and exploitation of women and children, said the woman died at Hayek Hospital and was expected to be buried on Monday, noting that Speaker Nabih Berri must be asked about the murder crimes that are targeting women.

In this regard, KAFA urged the parliament speaker to “call for a legislative session that has on top of its agenda the draft law on protecting women from domestic violence, in order to approve it as soon as possible.”

On February 4, Manal al-Assi was severely beaten by her husband, which resulted in her death the next day. The husband was eventually arrested by security forces.

Another tragic story preceded the two incidents when Roula Yaacoub, 31, died of domestic abuse on July 9, 2013.

Several media reports said Yaacoub's husband beat her up to death with a club under the eyes of their five daughters.