Lebanese prosecutor questions suspected killer of UK woman

Lebanese prosecutor questions suspected killer of UK woman
A Lebanese prosecutor has begun questioning an Uber driver suspected in the murder of a British woman who worked at the UK Embassy in Beirut.

1 min read
11 January, 2018
Dykes was found dead on December 16 in Beirut [FCO/Dykes family handout]

A Lebanese prosecutor has begun questioning an Uber driver suspected in the murder of a British woman who worked at the UK Embassy in Beirut.

Rebecca Dykes was found dead on Dec. 16 on the side of a road, strangled and reportedly showing signs of sexual assault.

The suspect, Tarek Houshi, was arrested days later.

Lawyer Antoine Abu Deeb, who is representing Dykes’ family, declined to provide details about the questioning.

Abu Deeb told reporters outside the courthouse Wednesday that the questioning lasted about two hours. He says the suspect answered questions.

Abu Deeb said the family is awaiting a possible indictment after Wednesday’s hearing before the investigative judge.

Houshi has a court-appointed attorney, who has not been publicly identified.

The body of Rebecca Dykes - known to friends as Becky - was found Saturday on the side of a busy highway north of Beirut. Police initially struggled to identify the body, circulating her description in the hope someone would recognise her. 

The UK's foreign office later confirmed the death of the Beirut embassy staffer, who worked for the department for international development.