Syrian Christian Suzan Der Kirkour, 60, was raped repeatedly, tortured and stoned to death near her home in Idlib governorate by Islamist militants, reportedly linked to an Al-Nusra Front rebel group active in the area, a Barnabas Fund contact has reported.
Miss Der Kirkour, a retired local school teacher, went missing from her home in the mainly-Christian village of Al-Yacoubia on 8 July.
Her body was found the following day by members of her church in a nearby grove.
Forensic investigations revealed that the barbaric ordeal was prolonged, lasting for around nine hours, before Miss Der Kirkour was murdered by stoning.
A Christian leader in the region said, “Attacks against Christians, mainly women and girls, are frequent here now, but this one has shocked the community. Suzan was an unmarried lady and a respected teacher who only remained in the village for the sake of her pupils, so that they could continue their studies.”
He added, “She was well known in her church and was the teacher of many in the village. Our prayers are with her relatives and church.”
From Barnabas Fund contacts
