Quick rules question about the new expansion. If councilor Ne Ruk is assassinated does he return to my hand or die?

Futrther clarification for the above question. Ne Rek targeted a councilor who if targeted for assassination caused Ne Rek to die. My question is does Ne Rek die, or does he return to my hand?

Text on Ne Rek is as follows:

SPY

Assassinate a representative and then return this spy to your hand. You must abstain from this vote.

He dies. Councilor and bodyguard abilities are triggered the moment a spy targets them, so he is dead before you can return him to your hand.