Four suspects confess to murder of Lebanese talk show host

AMMAN — Police on Saturday announced the arrest of four people who reportedly confessed to murdering renowned Lebanese radio talk show host Mazen Diab at his home in an Amman suburb on Friday.

Diab, 31, who worked at Sawt Al Ghad local radio station, was found dead with his hands tied behind his back in his apartment in the Amir Rashed neighbourhood near Mecca Mall in west Amman on Friday evening.

Coroners at the scene first established that Diab was choked to death because of strangulation marks on his neck, Public Security Department (PSD) Spokesperson Maj. Amer Sartawi said.

However, a government autopsy later concluded that Diab died of a ruptured spleen caused by being hit with a blunt object, a senior judicial source told The Jordan Times.

“It seems the suspects attempted to strangle the victim but when they failed they beat him up with a blunt object,” the source added.

Upon discovering the body, police formed a specialised team to investigate the incident, according to a PSD statement.

“Police gathered evidence from the scene and questioned friends and witnesses, and concluded that the four suspects were the main perpetrators,” the PSD statement added.

Upon arresting the four men and questioning them, they confessed to the murder, citing personal disputes, according the statement.

“One of the suspects became friends with Diab via his talk show but they had issues afterwards,” the statement said.

As a result, the suspect “plotted to kill Diab with the help of three of his friends”, the PSD said.

On Friday, the four headed to his house where they tied him up and beat him, according to the statement.

The suspects took some of Diab's personal belongings and his mobile phone to conceal some of the information that could have implicated them in the murder, the statement added.

Police later found the mobile and other personal items taken from Diab's home in the possession of the suspects, the PSD statement said.

“Police were able to identify the suspects using information gathered from the victim’s mobile and phone calls,” the judicial source explained.

Police referred the four suspects and the case file to the criminal court prosecutor for further questioning and indictment.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour condemned the murder of Diab at a press conference and offered his condolences to the "media family" in Jordan, Lebanon and the Arab world.

Diab hosted a live talk show that was aired on Sawt Al Ghad at 5pm and titled “Wo inta mraweh” (While heading home from work).

The victim, who is single, has been residing in the Kingdom for the past eight years, a close friend told The Jordan Times.  

He started working at Sawt Al Ghad eight years ago, according to the friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity.  

Diab was diagnosed with lung cancer last year and underwent surgery to have one of his lungs removed, according to the friend.

Following this experience, the friend added, Diab dedicated part of his life to raise awareness on cancer in Jordan and the region. 

He produced an awareness documentary on cancer that was titled “Ija Dawry” (It was my turn), which he distributed to schools, local NGOs and government institutions to raise awareness on cancer, the friend added.

“He was loved by many in Jordan who listened to Sawt Al Ghad because he gave a new, interesting and creative angle to radio talk shows in Jordan,” the close friend said.

The victim’s brother arrived in Jordan on Saturday to receive his body and take it to Lebanon for burial, the friend said.

The victim is survived by his father, mother and two brothers.