The family of Lokman Slim told Al-Arabiya on Friday that the anti-Hezbollah journalist and activist “may have been tortured” before he was assassinated.
“The report I received says that there were six bullets in his body and that he was bleeding, and it appears they may have tortured him before killing him,” said his sister Rasha Al-Ameer.
The family added that they want a forensic doctor, whom they hired, to determine whether he was tortured before he was killed, as some local officials speculated that bruises on his face indicate he was punched before he was killed.
According to the sister, there has been no contact from the investigative team or authorities to provide more information.
Lebanese security forces had found the car of the longtime Shiite political activist and researcher on a rural road near the Addoussiyeh town, in the district of Sidon.
He was lying face down surrounded by blood in the passenger seat with several gunshot wounds inflicted at close range, according to security and forensic officials.
Slim’s family made multiple remarks on Thursday insinuating that the Iran-backed militant group was behind the killing, according to the Associated Press.
Slim’s sister added that it is known who has power and control in southern Lebanon, the district where her brother was found dead.
“Killing for them is a habit,” she said, without naming Hezbollah.
