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Husband main suspect in Lebanese model Zeina Kanjou’s murder: Source

Zeina Kanjou’s husband is the main suspect in the murder of the popular fashion model, an Internal Security Forces source told Al Arabiya English.
“Forensic expert’s findings confirm that the deceased was suffocated to death. The husband is the primary suspect as he remains at large, but hasn’t been accused officially pending further investigations,” the senior ISF officer source said. “The case will be referred to the prosecution office of the crime’s jurisdiction once the investigation concludes.”
News about Kanjou’s death at the hands of her husband on January 30 at his flat in Ain Al Mraiseh spread quickly across social media, with claims that domestic violence was at the incident’s core.
The father of the murdered model branded his son-in-law a ‘terrorist’ after claims he smothered her to death, and fled to Turkey.
Father seeking justice
Speaking to Al Arabiya English from his house in Akkar in the north of the country, Kanjou’s father, Mohammad Kanjou said he trusts Lebanon’s law enforcement bodies that have launched an investigation into his daughter’s death.
“The Internal Security Forces
Prior to her killing she had lodged a domestic violence complaint against I.G. accusing him of brutality and violence, Mohammad claimed. The ISF source confirmed this.
Domestic Violence
Having represented Lebanon in the Miss Elegant International 2020 in Egypt, Zeina Kanjou married six months ago. She left her married home shortly after the wedding because of domestic violence, Lebanese media reported.
According to activists and recent media reports, domestic violence has increased across the MENA region, and amid Lebanon’s strictest COVID-19 lockdown the country is particularly prone to violence against women.
The father claimed that I.G. admitted to the murder over a phone call with his other daughter, Rouba.
Some media reports said the husband was the one who had reported his wife’s death to the authorities without being apprehended, while his whereabouts were not known.
Killer checked in on runaway plane 5.30am.
Kanjou’s lawyer, Ashraf Moussawi confirmed to Al Arabiya English that her husband purchased an online ticket on MEA
Moussawi claimed the husband came to Beirut for the purpose of killing his client and flew out immediately after the murder.
“Investigations conclude today or tomorrow, and then the murder case file will be referred to the Attorney General’s office that will issue an arrest warrant,” he said. “I will pursue the repatriation request in cooperation with the Interpol and concerned authorities in Turkey,” Moussawi told Al Arabiya English.
ISF had not responded for comment at the time of publication.
source: Bassam Za'za
Levant
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- April 17, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.
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