Assassination of Richard Sykes
Male, Deceased Person
1921 – 1979
Who was Assassination of Richard Sykes?
Sir Richard Sykes was the British Ambassador to the Netherlands, who was assassinated by the IRA in The Hague in 1979. Others suspected of the assassination were Palestinians or Iraqis, although no evidence was ever put forward. It was ultimately confirmed that the PIRA had carried out the killings. Sykes' valet Karel Straub was also killed. Both men were shot in the head as they left the ambassador's residence for the short trip to the embassy.
Sykes' position as ambassador to the Netherlands had been strained due to certain Dutch groups which were sympathetic to the IRA, and consequent arms smuggling activities.
Sykes had served in Havana, Peking and Washington, and was Deputy Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office prior to his appointment to the Netherlands in 1977.
We need you!
Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web!
- Born
- 1921
- Also known as
- Richard Sykes
- Nationality
- United Kingdom
- Died
- Mar 22, 1979
The Hague
Submitted
on July 23, 2013
Citation
Use the citation below to add to a bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Assassination of Richard Sykes." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 2 May 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/biography/assassination-of-richard-sykes/m/0bc8g9>.
Discuss this Assassination of Richard Sykes biography with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In