Krystel Abu Chacra: another victim of domestic violence and murder charge called for Manal Assi’s husband

Krystel Assi, 30 years, was buried yesterday after succumbing to a lethal dose of poison.  Krystel leaves behind a five year old boy whilst her family has accused her husband for her murder.  Preliminary investigation have not yet resulted in the arrest of her husband who has been called for questioning twice only to be released last Sunday with a simple request to remain available for further questioning.  Krsytel’s mother, Josephine Abu Chacra, as well as her uncle, Jean Tahhan, confirm that Krystel was a victim of sustained domestic violence as her husband kept stalking her and refused to let her see her son who is living with her in-laws after she had fled her husband to live with her parents, and initiated a divorce procedure.  Krystel’s uncle noted that her husband had taken her to the hospital where she dies after ingesting a large quantity of poison.  At the hospital, he did not divulge his identity and did not sign her admission papers.  He simply called her family to tell them that she is in bad condition.

As Safir notes that the victim had resorted to Kafa more than a year and a half ago and had shared her horrific experience with violence and requested legal assistance.  However, she only came to Kafa twice whilst the organization declared yesterday that it is ready to provide legal assistance to the victim’s family in their case against her husband.  Kafa’s lawyer, Leila Awada, noted that Kafa will escalate its protest vis-à-vis the Parliament as of next month.
In a related vein, the Judge Raja Hamouche requested the penalty of forced labor in perpetuity for the husband of Manal Assi for the charge of murdering his wife two weeks ago.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Akhbar, Al-Safir 18 February 2014