The killing of a Syrian Baath Party official earlier this month was reenacted by the slain man’s nephew-in-law Thursday in south Lebanon, after three of the party official’s relatives were charged in his murder including his wife.
The killing of Dirar Jemo, a Syrian media figure, was reenacted at his house in the coastal town of Sarafand in the presence of prosecutors, judges and reporters.
Ali Younes, the nephew of Jemo’s wife Siham Younes, claims he shot Jemo dead on July 17 at dawn after plotting with Siham and uncle over the crime.
Holding a Kalashnikov in his hand, Younes calmly reenacted the crime to the judges and a host of journalists.
He showed the audience the location from which he said he opened fire at Jemo and kept on shooting until his weapon emptied of bullets.
“Even when Jemo fell on the ground, I kept on shooting at him,” he said.
Asked by one of the journalists about the motives of the crime, Younes said “Why did I kill him? You don’t know but I do.”
After a chaotic media scrum the judge prevented the media from questioning Younes any further.
As the crime was reenacted, neighbors of Jemo were watching from their verandas and started insulting Younes and swearing at him.
Younes said he plotted the crime with his aunt Siham and his uncle Badih Younes.
After breaking their fast at the house where Siham’s parents live on July 17, the three went to Jemo’s house, only 500 meters away, Ali said.
Siham placed the Kalashnikov in the living room for Ali, who remained in the house. Once Jemo returned after having dinner in Tyre and entered the house, Ali fired the weapon, killing him instantly, Ali claims.
After making sure that Jemo was dead, Siham gave Ali the key to the car, which he drove to his grandfather’s house in Sarafand. He hid the Kalashnikov in a water tank behind the house, he said.
Meanwhile, Siham and Badih told their relatives that gunmen killed Jemo for political reasons.
Siham went to Syria, where she took part in Jemo’s funeral, which was held in Latakia. On her way back, she was arrested by General Security upon crossing into Lebanon.
The three are in detention and were charged with plotting and carrying out the murder and were recommended for the death penalty.
Source:Agencies
